Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv opened its 2017/18 Israeli Cup campaign with its right foot after a 97:73 win over Raanana. The quarter finals lottery at halftime arranged two derbies in one week.
Coach Spahija's starting five: John-Di, Roll, Mashour, Bolden and Art. The yellows opened the game with a 7:0 run 90 seconds into the game. Raanana started reacting and back to back threes by Gal Tesler brought the locals within a striking distance (9:7). Tyus, Mashour and Bolden enjoyed a great delivery day by John-Di to give Maccabi the 17:9 lead. Cole entered the game and immediately scored a midrange shot, but the locals reacted to finish the first quarter down 21:15.
Cole, Kane and Zoosman opened the second quarter strong to increase the yellows lead to 27:15 that forced the local coach call for a timeout. Michael Brisker, the son of former Maccabi player Mark Brisker made back to back threes to take down Maccabi's lead to a single digit lead (29:23) five minutes into the second quarter, Raanana continued their momentum with Brisker taking down the yellow lead to just two points. Roll Mashour and Bolden took control over the game with Bolden beating the buzzer from distance to give the yellows the 50:37 lead at halftime.
Bolden opened the third quarter the same way he ended the second as he gave Maccabi the 57:39 lead four minutes into the third quarter. Zoosman got comfortable against his former team as he made a three pointer from the corner to give Maccabi the 64:43 lead, Raanana started biting down the yellow lead and which forced coach Spahija to call for a timeout with his team up by 16. Cole's successful free throws ended the third quarter with Maccabi having the 71:53 lead.
Cole and Zoosman scored at the beginning of the fourth quarter to increase the yellow lead to 76:55, Raanana's Guy Lavi reacted with four points for his team (78:61) however Cohen's three pointer ended the local's momentum as Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv advances to the quarter finals with the 97:73 win.