Hapoel Falls in Winner Cup Semifinal

Hapoel "Midtown" Jerusalem's Winner Cup campaign came to an end following an 88-71 defeat to Maccabi Tel Aviv in the semifinals at Toto Arena in Holon. Sasa Obradovic's side, which entered the game as the defending champion, started strongly, built a double-digit lead in the second quarter and headed into halftime with a one-point advantage. However, the Reds struggled in the second half and were forced to relinquish their title. Kenny Lofton Jr. led Hapoel with 16 points, Shake Milton added 14, while David Roddy and Devontae Cacok contributed 12 points each.

Hapoel scorers: Kenny Lofton Jr. 16, Shake Milton 14, David Roddy and Devontae Cacok 12 each, Ethan Burg 8, Jaleen Smith 5, Yovel Zoosman 4.

Maccabi Tel Aviv scorers: Oshae Brissett 17, Roman Sorkin 16, Iffe Lundberg 14, Jaylen Hoard 13, Yam Madar and Keaton Wallace 8 each, Jimmy Clark 7, T.J. Leaf 4, Will Rayman 1.

Hapoel started the game well, with Shake Milton and Devontae Cacok coming off the bench to help the Reds turn an early deficit into a lead. The momentum continued into the second quarter, as a 9-0 run gave Hapoel a game-high ten-point advantage. Maccabi managed to close the gap before halftime, and the contest remained close throughout much of the third quarter. However, Hapoel struggled to contain its opponent in the final period, allowing 29 points in the last ten minutes as Maccabi pulled away to secure the victory.

(Photo: Oded Karni)

Game Recap

Maccabi opened with Madar, Lundberg, Rayman, Hoard and Sorkin, while Hapoel started with Burg, Smith, Roddy, Lofton Jr. and Chachashvili. Maccabi got off to a slightly better start, taking a 12-8 lead after approximately five minutes, but Hapoel responded with an 8-0 run led by substitutes Milton and Cacok to move ahead. A three-pointer from Brissett just before the buzzer set the score at 16-15 to Hapoel at the end of the first quarter.

The Reds opened the second quarter with a 9-0 run, extending their lead to double digits at 25-15. Maccabi responded with an 11-2 run, including two three-pointers from Wallace, cutting the deficit to just one point. Hapoel headed into halftime holding a narrow 32-31 lead.

Maccabi regained the lead early in the second half following two points from Brissett, and the advantage changed hands four more times during the third quarter. The final lead change came after another basket from Brissett, this time from beyond the arc, making it 51-48. Later, a layup from Clark gave Maccabi a 59-54 advantage heading into the final ten minutes of the semifinal.

Maccabi carried its momentum into the fourth quarter, with Lundberg leading the way as the gap grew to double digits at 72-61. A three-pointer from Smith brought Hapoel back within eight, but the Reds could get no closer. At the other end, Lundberg's fourth three-pointer of the game extended the lead to a game-high 17 points. Maccabi Tel Aviv secured an 88-71 victory.

Lofton Jr. His 16 points were not enough for Hapoel (Photo: Oded Karni)

Zoosman. (Photo: Oded Karni)