By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Maccabi Tel Aviv won the Israeli “State Cup” title for 8th consecutive year and 44th time in the history of the club after overpowering Hapoel Jerusalem 82 – 68 in the Final.
Andrew Goudelock and Gal Mekel paced the winners with 15 points apiece with the latter earning MVP honors while Devin Smith added 13. But it was a rock-solid defense in down the stretch that ultimately helped Maccabi reach the winning result since they forced their opponents to only 10 minutes in the fourth quarter, while dropping 20.
Hapoel Jerusalem was sizzling in the first half when Amare Stoudemire scored 12 out of his 15 points, leading 47 – 42 at halftime. Yet as the game progressed they began losing their offensive mojo and Maccabi made enough stops to first go ahead 62 – 58 and then keep the Hapoel low enough at the last stages of the match.