Bnei Hasharon eases past Ashdod into State Cup quarters

Bnei Hasharon eases past

By ALLON SINAI
Bnei Hasharon on Saturday night became the sixth team to book its place in the State Cup quarterfinals, thrashing National League club Maccabi Ashdod 96-68. Hapoel Gilboa/Galil, Ironi Ashkelon and Hapoel Afula all advanced to the last eight on Thursday, with BSL champion Maccabi Tel Aviv and cup holder Hapoel Holon only joining the competition in the quarterfinals. The final two teams to play in the quarterfinals will be determined on Sunday, with Hapoel Jerusalem welcoming Barak Netanya to the Malha Arena and Ironi Nahariya hosting Maccabi Rishon Lezion. On Saturday, Bnei Hasharon led throughout the game and its superiority was never under any doubt. The visitors were up 26-21 after 10 minutes and opened a double-digit margin with a 7-0 run to start the second period. Dan Shamir's men still held a comfortable lead at the break (48-37) and after taking a 68-54 gap into the fourth quarter cruised to the win in the final 10 minutes. "These kinds of games can develop in different directions and I'm glad we didn't allow Ashdod to drag us to a tight encounter," Shamir said. Erez Katz led the winners with 17 points, with Sam Clancy adding 13 points and 13 rebounds. Ramon Clemente had 24 points for Ashdod, which is currently in first position in the second division, winning its last six games.