Local Hoops: Maccabi TA holds off Bnei Hasharon comeback to win 77-65 in the BSL

If Maccabi doesn't improve on its current form it could well find itself surprised once again in the Final Four.

By ALLON SINAI
Maccabi TA 224.88 (photo credit: Asaf Kliger [file])
Maccabi TA 224.88
(photo credit: Asaf Kliger [file])
Maccabi Tel Aviv claimed yet another unconvincing league victory on Monday night, defeating Bnei Hasharon 77-65 at the Nokia Arena. Maccabi may have improved its BSL record in 2009 to 11-0, but if it doesn't improve on its current form it could well find itself surprised once again in the Final Four after last year's last gasp loss to Hapoel Holon. Carlos Arroyo led the hosts scoring 17 points, with Marcus Brown and Lior Eliyahu adding 15 and 14 points respectively. Richard Roby scored 13 points for Bnei Hasharon, which shot a horrendous one of 16 from beyond the arc. Bnei Hasharon was the last team to defeat Maccabi in league action, more than three months ago, but with just three more regular season games remaining is losing hope in its chase of home-court advantage in the playoffs. Maccabi led 15-14 at the end of a slow first period and pulled away in the second quarter. The hosts improved their concentration on offense and an Arroyo basket to end the first half opened a 44-31 margin. Tel Aviv remained in complete control in the third quarter, leading at one stage by as many as 18 points (57-39). But Bnei Hasharon ended the period with a 7-0 run and closed to within five points (59-54) with six minutes to play in the final quarter after a Roby basket. However, the visitors would come no closer and Maccabi held on to claim an 11th straight league win.