Davon Jefferson scores 14 points in 79-68 defeat of Ironi Ashkelon.
By ALLON SINAImac haifa davon jefferson 22.38(photo credit: Asaf Kliger)
Maccabi Haifa claimed its fourth straight BSL victory on Monday, defeating Ironi Ashkelon 79-68 at Romema.
Ashkelon put on a commendable performance, especially when considering the team has trained away from its hometown for the last couple of weeks due to the rocket attacks from Gaza.
However, Adi Azulai's team would have struggled against Haifa even in the best of situations, so it should come as no surprise that it trailed throughout Monday's encounter, eventually falling to its fifth defeat in six games.
Davon Jefferson led the winners, scoring 14 points, with Doron Perkins adding 13 points, 11 rebounds and six assists.
Steve Burtt scored 18 points for Ashkelon.
An early 10-0 run, capped by a Moshe Mizrahi three-pointer, opened a 12-4 Haifa lead, but Ashkelon was never too far behind, trailing 23-18 after 10 minutes.
The visitors even tied the score at 27-27 after a Burtt three, however, Maccabi regained the advantage immediately and took a 40-34 lead into the break.
A 13-3 run to start the second half extended the hosts margin to a record 16 points (53-37) and Ashkelon was still down by double-digits with 10 minutes remaining (60-50).
Haifa built on its lead in the first two minutes of the fourth period, scoring the first six points on the quarter to open an unassailable gap on the way to a comfortable victory.
if(catID != 151){
var cont = `Take Israel home with the new Jerusalem Post Store
