Maccabi Tel Aviv disposed of Hapoel Jerusalem 89-73 in the Israeli Basketball Classico at Yad Eiliyahu thanks a memorable night from Scottie Wilbekin and Tyler Dorsey who made his Israeli League debut. The duo combined for 41 points which included ten 3-pointers to wipe out a one point halftime deficit. J’Covan Brown and James Feldeine tried their best with ten triples of their own but the yellow-and-blue second half firepower was too much for the Reds to handle as they fell to their first defeat of the season. Wilbekin scored 26 points, Dorsey added 15 points as Omri Casspi chipped in with 13 points for Maccabi who dominated the boards grabbing 44 rebounds to Jerusalem’s 26. Brown led all scorers with 27 points, Feldeine scored 18 points and Tashawn Thomas dropped 14 points in the loss.

Maccabi Rishon Le’Zion blasted Hapoel Holon 84-59 thanks to a fantastic defensive display especially in the second half where they held the visitors to just 18 points. Johnathan Williams recorded a double double with 17 points and 11 assists, Jordan Swing added 15 points while Alex Hamilton and Darryl Monroe each scored 12 points in the win. Only two players notched double digits for Sharon Drucker’s Holon as Marcus Foster dropped 15 points and Latavious Williams chipped in with 14 points in the loss that featured the return of naturalized Israeli Rich Howell to Israel. 

Hapoel Beer Sheva slipped by Nes Ziona 82-81 for their second win in a row. Captain Spencer Weisz once again starred for the southern Reds clocking in with a double double of 15 points and 14 rebounds, Da’Sean Butler dropped 20 points while John Petrucelli scored 14 points on his birthday. Jeff Withey continued his fine play of late with 17 points and 14 rebounds and veteran guard Raviv Limonad added 15 points in the loss. 

Hapoel Gilboa Galil squeaked by Maccabi Ashdod 91-89 as Jamar Gulley hit a game winning three pointer as time expired in overtime to give the Galilee squad the win. Gulley ended the night with 26 points while Justin Tillman checked in with a tremendous 22 point and 23 rebound effort to secure the victory for Lior Lubin’s team. Elijah Johnson led Brad Greenberg’s port city side with 22 points as Noah Dickerson scored 16 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in the defeat. 

Hapoel Eilat defeated Maccabi Haifa 87-76 down south by the Red Sea. Jared Terrel starred for Arik Alfasi’s squad with 25 points while Kyvon Davenport added a double double with 20 points and 13 rebounds in the win. James Young (19p) and Scottie Suggs (18p) carried the attack for the Greens in a losing effort.

Nahariya got by Hapoel Tel Aviv 86-84 as Jerel McNeal bested his former team with 27 points while Dominic Waters added 22 points in the win. Tomer Ginat with 24 points and Mark Lyons with 18 led the Reds in the defeat.