Maccabi Tel Aviv Blows 17-Point Lead, Loses Preseason Game to Herzliya

Maccabi Tel Aviv suffered a dramatic preseason loss to Bnei Herzliya, squandering a 17-point lead in a 86-84 defeat. The game, which served as preparation for the 2026-2027 basketball season, saw Herzliya mount a significant comeback, culminating in a game-winning basket by DJ Bruton with just seconds remaining.

Maccabi Tel Aviv, the reigning national champions, appeared to be in control for much of the game. Led by Keeton Wallace, who scored 10 points in the first quarter, they established an early double-digit advantage. By halftime, their lead had extended to a game-high 17 points, with Bonzie Colson also contributing significantly.

However, the second half saw Herzliya, coached by Yehou Orland, rally back. Players like Dast Hanas, DJ Bruton, Zach Bryant, and Nathan Knight were instrumental in closing the gap. Despite a strong performance from Wallace, who finished with a game-high 20 points, a late turnover by him gave Herzliya the opportunity to seize the lead.

DJ Bruton sealed the victory for Herzliya with a driving layup in the final seconds. Maccabi's Bonzie Colson had a chance to win the game at the buzzer with a three-pointer, but it fell short, finalizing the upset win for Herzliya.

Key scorers for Maccabi Tel Aviv included Keeton Wallace (20 points), Bonzie Colson (15 points), and Armando Bacot (9 points, 8 rebounds). For Bnei Herzliya, DJ Bruton led with 16 points, supported by Dast Hanas and Zach Bryant (13 points each), and Nathan Knight (13 points, 12 rebounds).