Maccabi Haifa upsets Maccabi Tel Aviv 87-78

There are four rounds remaining in the regular season of the Israeli Winner League and Maccabi Haifa is ending 2014/15 on a high note. They recently defended their homecourt and upset the league leaders Maccabi Electra Tel-Aviv 87-78. They have now won eight of their last ten games. Maccabi Tel-Aviv, on the other hand, are lost in a recent quagmire of problems and have had difficulties coming up with wins. That said, Maccabi Tel-Aviv’s top position is not in any real jeopardy with their 24-6 record. Hapoel Jerusalem is the closest to challenge them for the lead with their 23-8 slate. Maccabi Haifa remains in fifth place and are now above .500, at 16-15.

Much to the elation of the fans who packed Romema Arena, the Green and White shirts kicked off the game showing clear intent that they would not let their guests defeat them in their house. They opened the first quarter with a barrage of three-pointers to greet their opponents. They rained down six triples in the first quarter and established a commanding 25-10 lead at the whistle.

In the second frame, Maccabi Tel Aviv fought back and were led by Sylven Landesburg and Jake Cohen. When both clubs headed to the locker rooms for the halftime break the score stood at 41-34. After the break, solid defense by the hosts managed to keep Maccabi Tel Aviv in check and they increased their lead by one point, 66-58, with one final period remaining. The visitors were able to tie things up at 66-66, but Maccabi Haifa replied 14-3 run and they did not look back from there and sealed the win.

Ike Ofoegbu led Maccabi Haifa to victory with 25 points on some solid shooting from both the field and from the line. Dagan Yavzuri added 14 points and five assists, while Chanan Colman chipped in 13 points and eight rebounds.

Sylven Landesberg came up big for Maccabi Tel Aviv with 25 points off the bench. Joe Alexander helped him out with 17 points and eight rebounds of his own.