By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Despite a slightly better start to the game for Maccabi Tel Aviv, Hapoel Tel Aviv was the team to win the derby in the Israeli Cup semifinals with 90-80 on the scoreboard.
J’Covan Brown banked in game-high 30 points for the winning team which made a 16-6 run at the start of the second half to go up 61-50. Maccabi held up for a short while but two three-pointers by Hapoel’s Brown and James Young after the four-minute mark sealed the deal (81-67)
Brown shot 7-10 from two and 3-6 from three while Young finished with 14 points. Josh Owens and Idan Zalmanson ten points.
For Maccabi, Scottie Wilbekin scored 23 (5-12 threes) in addition to Keenan Evans’ 16 and Khyri Thomas’ 11 points. Ante Zizic logged nine points and 12 rebounds.
Hapoel advanced to the Final of the Israeli Cup with this win where they will face Bnei Herzliya which was rather convincing against Hapoel Holon. Maccabi was the winner in 2021.
Photo Credit: Oded Karni, Israeli Basketball Association