Maccabi Tel Aviv Dominates Kiryat Ata, Advances to Face Hapoel Jerusalem in Cup Semifinal

Maccabi Tel Aviv decisively defeated Ironi Kiryat Ata 109-61 on Sunday night in the quarterfinals of the Winner Cup, securing a spot in the semifinals where they will face Hapoel Jerusalem. After a closely contested first quarter that ended in an 18-18 tie, Maccabi's offense exploded in the second quarter, outscoring Kiryat Ata 36-18. This surge, fueled by excellent three-point shooting with 14 successful shots out of 28 attempts, set the tone for the rest of the game. Seven Maccabi players scored in double figures, showcasing impressive offensive balance. The team's performance marked a significant improvement from their recent EuroLeague loss, with coach Oded Katash highlighting the dramatic increase in three-point accuracy and strong team play. Players like Daniel Theis, John DiBartolomeo, and T.J. Leaf were instrumental in the second-quarter run, while Jimmy Clark contributed seven assists. Despite facing a less challenging opponent compared to European competition, Maccabi's dominant performance offers positive takeaways as they prepare for their upcoming semifinal clash with Hapoel Jerusalem.