Hapoel take down Maccabi in Tel Aviv derby, tie their rivals for 6th place / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Winner League Credit Winner League

Another bitter pill to swallow. Maccabi Tel Aviv (8-6) lost the Tel Aviv derby 78-77 (16-15, 14-20, 28-27, 19-16) to hosts Hapoel (8-6) at the end of a difficult and nerve-wracking match.

Maccabi Tel Aviv / Schedule

Maccabi Tel Aviv Olympiakos Piraeus84-69 Maccabi Tel Aviv ALBA BerlinTue19:15 Maccabi Tel Aviv Fenerbahce IstanbulThu19:05

Just after the big win over Olympiakos, the team coached by Giannis Sfairopoulos recorded their sixth league loss this season. With an 8-6 record, Maccabi and Hapoel share 6th place in the Winner League standings, while leaders Hapoel Jerusalem stand at 9-4.

Jake Cohen, who hit a career-high 5 three-pointers along with 16 points, wasn't enough for Maccabi, who played without James Nunnally, Kameron Taylor, and Jalen Reynolds.

The advantage switched sides in the closing minutes. With 26 seconds left and Hapoel up 78-76, Wilbekin made one of two free throws.

Angelo Caloiaro squeezed in a loose ball from Hapoel, and Maccabi had a chance to take the lead. Wilbekin took the ball, but his mid-range jumper missed the mark and Hapoel took the win.

JP Tokoto and James Young combined for 45 points, as the former North Carolina forward scored 24 and the ex-Celtics shooting guard logged 21. Apart from Cohen, Maccabi had another three players in double digits (Wilbekin, Zizic, Dibartolomeo), but Keenan Evans was held down to only 2 and Derrick Williams finished scoreless.

Hapoel Tel Aviv: JP Tokoto 24 (9/19 FG, 5/6 FT, 5 AST), James Young 21 (5/9 FG, 9/10 FT, 4 REB, 3 TO), Bar Timor 8 (4 TO).

Maccabi Tel Aviv: Jake Cohen 16 (5/5 3-PT SHOTS, 1/2 FT, 4 REB), Scottie Wilbekin 12 (3/14 FG, 6/8 FT, 2 ST, 3 AST, 3 TO), Ante Zizic 12 (5/10 FG, 2/2 FT, 8 REB), John Dibartolomeo 11 (3/6 FG, 3/3 FT).

Full game highlights:

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