By Amy Samin
Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv defeated Bnei Herzliya 85-70 in the second game of the Israeli Winner Sal League season. Trevor Mbakwe had an impressive 18 points and 16 rebounds, Jordan Farmar contributed 19 points and 6 steals, Yogev Ohayon added 12 points and 4 steals, and Sylven Landesberg scored 11 points.
Yogev Ohayon, Guy Pnini, Devin Smith, Jordan Farmar, and Arinze Onuaku started for Maccabi and got off to a good start - 6-3 - but the hosts came back and took a 9-8 lead at the halfway mark. Points by Ohayon and Mbakwe put Maccabi back on top 14-9 with three minutes left in the period. Herzliya closed to three but a putback by Mbakwe ended the quarter with Maccabi up 21-14.
Mbakwe and Landesberg got the second quarter off to a good start for the yellows, as a trey from the corner by the latter put Maccabi's lead into double digits, 26-14. Herzliya's defense was almost nonexistant, and Maccabi ran to 39-21. Coach Goodes gave some minutes to Maccabi's youngest players, Itay Segev and Dragan Bender, and Herzliya went on a 10-0 run. The half ended with Maccabi holding a 41-33 lead.
The hosts came out strong after the break, but Guy Pnini, Ohayon, and Farmar kept Maccabi's lead comfortable, 50-35 halfway through the third quarter. Herzliya didn't give up, and closed to 52-46 with three minutes left in the period. Points from the foul line and a wild shot by Farmar at the buzzer made it 58-51 Maccabi going into the final period.
Herzliya continued to battle as the fourth quarter started, but Smith from downtown and Farmar (from everywhere) responded. Pnini added a three pointer and Mbakwe continued to do work in the paint. Even young Yovel Zoosman chipped in with two points at the buzzer to give Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv an 85-70 victory over Bnei Herzilya.