Hapoel Tel Aviv downed Bnei Herzliya 94-86 as Yam Madar starred for the reds with a dominating double-double to pace Dimitrios Itoudis’s team to the victory. Madar along with Collin Malcolm and Antonio Blakeney helped Hapoel jump out to an early lead but Chinanu Onuaku kept Herzliya close at the half as the reds took a 50-44 lead at halftime.

However, Madar and Tai Odiase poured in the points in the third quarter keep the visitors in front of despite a late comeback attempt by Yehu Orland’s squad who were paced by Onuaku, Elijah Stewart and Max Heidegger, but it was not enough as Hapoel closed out the win.

Madar scored 19 points and added 11 assists, Odiase scored 18 points and Blakeney put in 17 points for the reds while Onuaku scored 22 points and grabbed 16 rebounds as Stewart scored 17 points in the loss.

Hapoel Tel Aviv Head Coach Dimitrios Itoudis talked about the win, “We played a very serious game and we respect the game, the league and prisoners, Herzliya is a high tempo team and we analyses the teams and the players derive the congratulations. We had a some moments of relaxation and we paid the price against a good team. But when we focussed on the defensive end that helps make the best offense.”

Bnei Herzliya Head Coach Yehu Orland reflected on the loss, “We weren’t able to use our running game here and we had to try and find points other ways and we just couldn’t do it against Hapoel Tel Aviv but hopefully we will able to get back on track on Wednesday against Hapoel Holon. We want to pass them in the standings and we want to finish in the top 8 in order to take a place in the State Cup quarterfinals.”

Oz Blayzer looked back at the victory, “It was a very good win for us in a tough gym against a good offensive team, we could have done a better job on defense but we all helped get the win. I knew what my job was for the season and what I need to do to impact the game and enjoy it. I was prepared for the situation and Coach explained what I was expected of me.”

Elijah Stewart spoke about the defeat and how he was the focus of Hapoel’s defense, “We weren’t executing our game plan and they exploited us. I was the main point of their focus and they did a good job with that. Things started to slow down in the second half and they pulled away. We are not seeing this as a step back and we will use this as a learning experience.”

Jordon Varnado and Chinanu Onuaku scored for Bnei Herzliya, but Tyler Ennis and Collin Malcolm went from the inside and outside while Yam Madar drained a pair of 3-pointers to give Hapoel Tel Aviv a 27-16 lead after ten minutes of play. Max Heidegger, Noah Carter and Onuaku began to heat up in the second quarter, Madar and Antonio Blakeney went from deep, Shalev Lugashi drilled home a pair from downtown, while Onuaku and Blakeney traded basket as the reds went into halftime ahead 50-44.

Collin Malcolm scored to get the third quarter underway, Daeshon Francis put in a 3-point play, Tomer Ginat went from the inside and outside, Tai Odiase and Madar teamed up for a trio of baskets and then put in a 3-point play himself as Dimitrios Itoudis’s team jumped out to 75-59 lead after thirty minutes of action. Onuaku, Varnado and Elijah Stewart to lead off the fourth quarter, Blakeney and Oz Blayzer responded, Odiase and Madar came back with points to close out the victory.