Bnei Hasharon overturns 1st leg deficit to advance

Beats Maccabi Rishon Lezion 82-73 to enter quarterfinals of the State Cup.

By ALLON SINAI
Bnei Hasharon 224.88 (photo credit: Courtesy)
Bnei Hasharon 224.88
(photo credit: Courtesy)
Bnei Hasharon defeated Maccabi Rishon Lezion 82-73 on Wednesday night in Herzliya and overturned a first leg six-point loss to book its place in the quarterfinals of the State Cup. Last year's cup finalist opened a 12-point lead by the end of the first quarter and would remain comfortably in front throughout the entire game. Meir Tapiro scored 18 points for the winners, with new forward Ndudi Ebi adding 17 points. Hapoel Gilboa/Afula and Hapoel Galil Elyon, which were the only BSL teams to lose to National League opposition in the first leg, also booked their places in the last eight with dominating performances on Wednesday night. Gilboa/Afula, which lost 85-84 in the first leg, thrashed Hapoel Lev Hasharon 114-87 thanks to Amit Ben-David's 19 points and eight assists. Tunji Awujobi added 18 points and eight rebounds for Gilboa/Afula, which effectively clinched the tie by outscoring their opponents 61-33 over the second and third periods. Galil, which suffered a surprising 86-85 defeat in the first leg, beat Hapoel Yokneam/Megido 90-75 at Kfar Blum. A 27-12 first period by Galil gave the team a stranglehold on the tie and Yokneam/Megido had no answer to their opponents superior quality. Cliff Brown scored 33 points for Galil, with Mike Campbell also contributing 16 points. Also on Wednesday, Ironi Nahariya, Ironi Ramat Gan and Hapoel Holon all completed double victory's over their second round opponents. Ironi Nahariya defeated Ironi Ashkelon 89-75, with Barak Peleg scoring 20 points for the winners. Ironi Ramat Gan beat Maccabi Givat Shmuel 93-86 thanks to Michael Kuebler 28 points. Hapoel Holon crushed Elitzur Netanya 92-67 behind Malik Dixon's 20 points. Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Jerusalem will enter the competition at the quarterfinal stage and will join Wednesday's six winners.