Mac TA up to first place

On Tuesday, Maccabi Haifa visits Ironi Nahariya.

By ALLON SINAI
Maccabi Tel Aviv forward Devin Smith (photo credit: ASAF KLIGER)
Maccabi Tel Aviv forward Devin Smith
(photo credit: ASAF KLIGER)
Maccabi Tel Aviv moved to the summit of the BSL standings on Monday night, beating Maccabi Rishon Lezion 74-66 to leapfrog Hapoel Jerusalem which has played one game fewer.
Tel Aviv looked to be cruising after opening a 17-point cushion (54-37) midway through the third quarter. However, Rishon fought back and the score was tied with five minutes remaining, only for Tel Aviv to respond with a 9-0 run to clinch the victory.
Devin Smith and Marquez Haynes had 17 points each for Maccabi, which improved to 9-2, with Tony Younger leading Rishon (7-4) with 19 points.
Hapoel Holon (6-4) ended Hapoel Tel Aviv’s (6-5) winning streak on Monday, claiming an 83-80 win at Hadar Yosef.
The tight encounter ultimately decided by Shlomi Harush’s three-pointer with 15 seconds to play which opened an 80-76 lead.
Dominic McGuire and Tony Crocker had 19 points each for Holon, which won for the third time in four games.
Also Monday, Ironi Ness Ziona (7-4) beat Hapoel Gilboa/Galil (4-7) 83-67 behind 31 points by Craig Smith.
On Tuesday, Maccabi Haifa visits Ironi Nahariya. Haifa waived Americans Demontez Stitt and Jeff Allen on Monday after they were arrested early Sunday morning for being in possession of marijuana.