Before the 'Chance' cup quarter-finals took place this evening in Jerusalem, Ironi Ashkelon battled BC Habikaa in a tough up-tempo match, as the northern Israeli team came out on top with an 80:73, victory.
Dwayne Mitchell led all scorers with a game high, 20-points, 7 rebounds and 3 steals. Marco Killingworth 15 (8) and Tony Skinn 14, helped secure the win. Rashaun Freeman 17, Paul Delaney 15, Danilo Pinnock 10 and Ezequiel Skverer added 9 points (6 dimes) in a losing effort.
Quarter-finals G1: Maccabi Rishon 78 Bnei Hasharon 75
In the first of two Israeli 'Chance' cup games, Maccabi Rishon beat Bnei Hasharon 78:75, thanks to impressive performances by Rishon's big three, Joseph Crawford, Brandon Bowman and Adrian Uter, finishing with a combined, 52-points.
Maccabi Rishon - Adrian Uter 21 points, Brandon Bowman 16 points, 8 rebounds, Joseph Crawford 15 and Nitzan Hanuki finished with 8 points.
Bnei Hasharon - LaceDarius Dunn 25 (4-threes), Kenny Lawson 17, Guy Lavie 10 and Tweety Carter added 9.
The game developed into a dog battle under the rims with Adrian Uter crashing the boards and Joey Crawford getting to cup at will, giving Rishon a 24:17, lead after one. By half-time,
Rishon managed to increase its lead to double-digits, despite 12-first half points from Bnei's newly signed Kenny Lawson, who landed in Israel just two-days ago, 51:41.
In the third, Dunn began to heat up shooting lights out including four treys, but Bnei was still down, 68:59, starting the fourth. In the final session, Bnei managed to close the gap thanks to Dunn and Carter, but it wasn't enough and the final buzzer showing a 78:75, Rishon victory.
Quarter-finals G2: Maccabi Ashdod 64 Hapoel Jerusalem 75
In the second ''Chance'' cup game, Hapoel Jerusalem beat Maccabi Ashdod 64 75, thanks to an impressive performance by Jerusalem's new hit Luke Jackson. The American forward finished with 20 points and 7/10 from the field, he also added 5 rebounds, 4 steals and 2 assists.
Maccabi Ashdod tried to close the gap, chasing Hapoel since the start but it was obvious Jerusalem was just too good, or in this case, Ashdod just wasn't good enough.
Jerusalem - Luke Jackson 20, D.J. Strawberry 14 (6 rebs, 6 assists), Elishay Kadir 14 (6 rebs),Yuval Naimy 12.
Ashdod - Craig Brackins 17, Alex Tyus 13 (10 rebs), Josh Carter 12, Meir Tapiro 9 (8 rebounds, 11 assists).