Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv qualified to the Israel State Cup final, with a chance to win its 46th title, by downing Ironi Hai Motors Ness Ziona 73-85 in one of the semifinals at Pais Arena in Jerusalem on Monday. It will face Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem in the title game.
Lorenzo Brown, back to the team after recovering from an ankle injury, led the winners with 19 points. Josh Nebo added 16, Bonzie Colson had 13 while Jarrell Martin had 10 for Maccabi. Ness Ziona led 16-21 at the end of the first quarter. Martin and Brown stepped up for Maccabi and Rafi Menco struck from downtown for a 23-24 lead. Nebo followed a layup with a dunk, and got help from Colson and Roman Sorkin to boost their team's lead to 36-42 at halftime. Brown took over after the break, following a jumper with a three-pointer to give Maccabi a 39-52 margin. John DiBartolomeo struck from downtown to break the game open, 51-69, late in the third quarter and Maccabi kept a safe lead until the final buzzer. Jerusalem edged Hapoel B-Cure Laser Haifa 77-73 in the other semifinal later also on Monday.