With the domestic league entering its final straight, the yellows want to finish the regular season phase on a high note. The game started with the locals managing to impose their will and tempo as they took the double digit lead at the end of the first quarter. Maccabi shifted into a higher gear at the second quarter as they trimmed Rishon’s lead to only five points at half time. Pargo took care of business in the third quarter completing the comeback, Rishon made another run at a comeback of their own however Bolden and Cole made sure that Maccabi will secure the 84:73 win en route of improving their record in the domestic standings to 21:10.
Coach Spahija’s starting five: Pargo, John-Di, Kane, Boldenand Tyus. Rishon took the early 6:5 lead two and a half minutes into the game. Rishon capitalized on Maccabi’s turnovers as they increased their lead to 12:5 as the first quarter reached its halfway mark. Norris Cole took control over the game as he helped the yellows trim Rishon’s lead to just three points. Rishon reacted as they finished the first quarter strong taking the 21:11 lead.
Cole, John-Di and Jake completed a 9:0 run forcing coach Sherf to call for a timeout with the scoreboard showing 24:22. Langford scored a three pointer to keep Maccabi at bay; Hanochi increased the local’s lead to 31:24 but the yellows reacted with a 5:0 run sparked by Roll (31:29). Tyus’ dunk kept Spahija’s squad in the game (36:31). The locals kept their five point lead at halftime with the scoreboard showing 40:35.
Roll and Cohen tied the game at the beginningof the third quarter, but Rishon reacted with Crawford and Holloway as they took the 46:42 lead. Cohen and Tyus kept Maccabi in the game; Pargo scored back to back threes to give the visitors the 51:56 lead. Jeremy continued being the guy for coach Spahija as he scored another three pointer to put the yellows ahead in double digits (51:61). Rishon went on a 5:0 run but John-Di’s three pointer on the buzzer gave Maccabi the 56:64 lead as the third quarter came to an end.
Rishon started the fourth quarter more focused as they managed to cut the visitors’ lead to 60:66. Tyus increased Maccabi’s lead to 60:69 but Rishon kept fighting as they trimmed the visitors’ lead to 70:72 with two minutes remaining in the game. Jonah Bolden scored back to back clutch threes as the yellows increased their lead to 72:78. Cole and Bolden continued to control the game as they secured the 84:73 win thus continuing their momentum.