Israeli State Cup final: February 7, 2013 - Israel - Welcome to EUROLEAGUE BASKETBALL

May 21, 2013

Israeli State Cup final: February 7, 2013

Maccabi Electra wins Israeli State Cup for the 40th time (Photo BSL)

Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv became the Israeli State Cup winner for the 40th time after beating Maccabi Haifa 76-68 in the final at Nokia Arena. Interim team captain Shawn James was joined by injured captain Lior Eliyahu and Guy Pnini to raise the cup at center court as legions of yellow fans cheered on. Devin Smith was named final MVP after scoring 13 points and playing tremendous defense, especially down the stretch. It seemed to be Maccabi’s game early as Coach David Blatt’s team raced out to an 18-10 lead, which would have been larger if not for some great plays by Gal Mekel. The Haifa guard finished the first quarter with 14 points, almost single-handedly keeping his team alive at 25-18 through 10 minutes. Nik Caner-Medley and Moran Roth gave Maccabi a double-digit lead early in the second quarter and Pnini later sank a three to make it 42-28 – what would prove to be the largest lead in the game. Pat Calathes nailed a triple to bring Haifa within 42-31 at the break. Maccabi got a little sloppy in the third quarter and Haifa took advantage through Donta Smith and Corey Carr to close within 46-43. David Logan ended Maccabi’s slump with a triple, but Mekel matched him to keep it close through three quarters, 52-48. James Thomas tied the game from the line at 55-55 early in the fourth quarter. With Donta Smith, Mekel and Thomas leading the way, Haifa barreled to a 57-61 lead as the Haifa fan base went wild. Shawn James answered with a big dunk before Devin Smith tied the game with a jumper midway through the fourth quarter. With the pressure mounting, Haifa struggled to score, while Yogev Ohayon put Maccabi back in front and Devin Smith buried a critical triple. Devin Smith also stood out with his defense to protect the lead. Haifa remained within 4 with two minutes left, but its offensive woes persisted and Maccabi was able to hold on for the win. Ricky Hickman led all Maccabi scorers with 15 points, Ohayon added 12 and Pnini 10. Mekel finished with 28 points, Donta Smith scored 15, Calathes 14 and Thomas tallied 7 points and 13 rebounds for Haifa.

Israeli Cup, "State Cup" in Tel Aviv, February 5-7, 2013

Semifinals	Final

Maccabi Ashdod

Maccabi Electra
	Maccabi Electra (Champion)


	Maccabi Haifa
Hapoel Migdal Jerusalem

Maccabi Haifa

Cup Games
Semifinals	Maccabi Ashdod vs. Maccabi Electra	80-85	Feb. 5
Semifinals	Hapoel Migdal Jerusalem vs. Maccabi Haifa	61-80	Feb. 5
Final	Maccabi Electra vs. Maccabi Haifa	76-68	Feb. 7