Mack, Hapoel Jerusalem dominate Ashdod • Mac TA remains undefeated

Hapoel Jerusalem topped Maccabi Ashdod 72- 51 in the capital city in a Israel Winner League game that saw the debut of NBA veteran guard Shelvin Mack along with newcomer John Holland’s first appearance at Pais Arena.

Brad Greenberg’s undermanned Ashdod kept it tight for the first 15 minutes of the game, but Oded Katash’s Reds quality showed over the last five minutes of the first half to pull away for the win.

Suleiman Braimoh led a balanced attack for Jerusalem with 12 points, Tamir Blatt added 11 points, while Mack and Idan Zalmanson each scored 10 points in the win. Paul Stoll was the Ashdod high scorer with 11 points.

Ashdod and Jerusalem started off tight, but a pair of Blatt triples put the Reds in front 11- 5 midway through the first quarter. Stoll and Elijah Johnson got the Ashdod offense into gear to pull even at 18- 18 after 10 minutes of play.

Greenberg’s squad continued to give Katash’s crew trouble as the Reds led by just one ( 22- 21) with five minutes remaining in the second quarter. However, Nimrod Levi drilled a corner triple and TaShawn Thomas scored inside, and Blatt nailed a three- pointer to end the half with Hapoel holding a 37- 25 advantage.

Mack and James Feldeine hit threes and Bar Timor helped Jerusalem increased its lead to 51- 28 midway through the third quarter and the hosts coasted from there to the 21- point conquest.

After the game, Mack spoke glowingly about his first game for Jerusalem.

“It felt good and my teammates gave me a lot of confidence to go out there and play. The club does a great job to make you feel comfortable and make it as simple as possible.”

Meanwhile, Maccabi Tel Aviv defeated Maccabi Haifa 91- 77 at Yad Eliyahu to move its Israeli

league record to 15- 0. After a close first quarter, the yellowandblue broke open the game in the second stanza to help coach Ioannis Sfairopoulos to yet another win.

Deni Avidja once again led the way for Tel Aviv with 16 points, eight rebounds and six assists, Tyler Dorsey was the club’s high- scorer with 18 points while Othello Hunter ended the contest with 16 points in the win. James Young was the dominant player for the Greens with 25 points in the loss.

Elsewhere, Hapoel Holon downed Nahariya 86- 78 at the Toto Arena in Holon as the host side moved to 8- 7 in league play.

Stefanos Dedas’s team used a 14- 3 run to end the first half along with 28 points from Marcus Foster to take the win. T. J. Cline added 17 points while Joe Alexander made his season debut with 15 points for Holon in the victory.

Diamon Simpson was Nahariya’s high scorer with 20 points and Dominic Waters added 14 points and nine assists in the defeat.

“We’re satisfied that we are turning a new page in the season and expectations as a team,” said Alexander.

Also, Hapoel Beersheba dominated Hapoel Tel Aviv 103- 76 down south and the loss cost Tel Aviv coach Ariel Beit Halachmi his job.

After a close first half, the hosts blew open the contest in the third and fourth quarters as Rami Hadar’s team outscored Hapoel 57- 31 over the last 20 minutes.

Steven Zack starred for Beersheba with 15 points, 21 rebounds and an efficiency rating of 38, Da’Sean Butler scored 24 points – shooting 6- of- 8 from three- point range – Amit Simhon added 23 points while T. J. Willaims chipped in with 19 points. Jordan Hamilton led Tel Aviv with 32 points in the loss.

Meanwhile, Hapoel Gilboa/ Galil used a career night by Jarmar Gulley to defeat Ness Ziona 96- 80 at Gan Ner in Galilee.

Gulley was fabulous for Lior Lubin’s squad as last season’s Leumit League MVP scored 30 points, grabbed 16 rebounds,

drew 11 fouls, added five assists and two blocked shots to finish the game with a 51 efficiency rating.

Edgar Sosa added 21 points and newcomer Michael Young scored 19 points in the win. Corey Fisher was the Ness Ziona high scorer with 19 points.