Mac TA continues to build momentum with win in Eilat

Cameron Clark led five Nahariya players in double figures with 14 points, while Diamon Simpson had 14 points and 13 rebounds for Ness Ziona.

By ALLON SINAI
Updated: FEBRUARY 29, 2016 06:08
Maccabi Rishon Lezion guard Shawn Dawson scored a game-high 25 points in his team’s 93-85 win over Ventspils of Latvia last night, helping secure Rishon’s progress to the Europe Cup quarterfinals. (photo credit: ODED KARNI/ISRAEL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION))
Maccabi Rishon Lezion guard Shawn Dawson scored a game-high 25 points in his team’s 93-85 win over Ventspils of Latvia last night, helping secure Rishon’s progress to the Europe Cup quarterfinals.
(photo credit: ODED KARNI/ISRAEL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION))
Maccabi Tel Aviv built on its recent revival by combining four straight wins for the first time in 2016 on Sunday, beating Hapoel Eilat 86-67 on the road to move ahead of Hapoel Jerusalem in the BSL standings.
Maccabi improved to 15-6, still half a game behind Jerusalem (15-5), which visits Maccabi Kiryat Gat (6-14) on Monday.
Eilat held a one-point edge (32-31) at the break, but Maccabi dominated the third quarter, outscoring the hosts 32-12 to effectively clinch the win.
Gal Mekel led five Maccabi players in double figures with 16 points and nine assists. DeAndre Kane had 23 points for Eilat, which fell to 9-12.
“We didn’t show up for the third quarter, and against a team like Maccabi you need to maintain your composure for the entire 40 minutes,” said Eilat coach Oded Katash.
Also Sunday, Ironi Nahariya (12-9) beat Ironi Ness Ziona (7-14) 71-61.
Cameron Clark led five Nahariya players in double figures with 14 points, while Diamon Simpson had 14 points and 13 rebounds for Ness Ziona.
Rishon Lezion into Europe Cup last eight Maccabi Rishon Lezion continued its surprising continental campaign on Sunday, advancing to the quarterfinals of the Europe Cup with a 93-85 win at home against Ventspils, sweeping the Latvians 2-0 in the bestof- three series.
Rishon registered a tight 75-73 win in Latvia last week, and secured its progress after leading from start to finish on Sunday.
Next up for Rishon is Skyliners Frankfurt, which is 14-0 in the Europe Cup this season. The quarterfinals will also be played in a best-of-three format, with Game 1 to be held in Germany on March 16, Game 2 in Rishon a week later and a decisive third game in Frankfurt the following week, should it be necessary.
Shawn Dawson led Rishon with 25 points and six rebounds, with Mark Lyons adding 24 points and eight assists and Darryl Monroe contributing 17 points. Rishon hit 23-of-31 twopoint attempts and 7-of-16 shots from beyond the arc.
Kristaps Janicenoks had 21 points for Ventspils.
“The guys put in a real effort.
They hardly had any energy left at the end,” said Rishon coach Sharon Drucker. “Everyone gave their all and I think this is a great achievement for the club. Our goal at the start of the season was to merely take part in the competition and now we are in the quarters.”
Drucker believes Rishon is capable of reaching the semis.
“Frankfurt hasn’t lost a game in the competition but we will be ready,” he said. “Anything is possible in basketball.”