Mac TA gets back on track; Holon suffers Euro blow

“After the last game we knew we had to come together as a team and for sure get the win,” said Jonah Bolden.

By ALLON SINAI
Maccabi Tel Aviv forward Jonah Bolden had 23 points and 10 rebounds in last night’s 98-90 win at Ironi Nahariya in BSL action. (photo credit: ADI AVISHAI)
Maccabi Tel Aviv forward Jonah Bolden had 23 points and 10 rebounds in last night’s 98-90 win at Ironi Nahariya in BSL action.
(photo credit: ADI AVISHAI)
Maccabi Tel Aviv returned to winning ways on Tuesday night before embarking on one of its toughest stretches of the Euroleague campaign, beating Ironi Nahariya 98-90 in BSL action at Ein Sara Arena.
Two days after suffering its first BSL defeat of the season and three days before it visits CSKA Moscow in Russia in the first of three continental games over seven days, Maccabi overcame Nahariya to bounce back from Sunday’s loss to Hapoel Holon and improve to 9-1.
There wasn’t much to separate the teams at Ein Sara on Tuesday, with Maccabi leading by eight points at the break (46-38). The yellow-and-blue pulled ahead in the third period, going on an 11-0 run to establish a 17-point gap (69-52). Nahariya continued to fight, but would come no closer than seven points and dropped to a 5-5 record.
Jonah Bolden was superb for Maccabi with 23 points and 10 rebounds, with Pierre Jackson adding 21 points and seven assists.
“After the last game we knew we had to come together as a team and for sure get the win,” said Bolden.
Corey Webster had 27 points for Nahariya.
After visiting Euroleague leader CSKA on Friday, Maccabi goes to Greek powerhouse Panathinaikos next Tuesday before hosting reigning champion Fenerbahce two days later.
“I’m satisfied with the win but not satisfied with the way we are playing,” said Maccabi coach Spahija. “I know what is the problem. Lately we have no time to practice. To resolve such a problem you need to have real practice. If you want to be in the game against CSKA you have to play one of your best games of the season. We are doing the same mistakes from game to game, but now we have a day-and-a-half before the trip and I hope I can try to explain something.”
Also Tuesday, Hapoel Holon dropped to an 81-75 defeat to Murcia of Spain in the FIBA Champions League. Holon fell to 2-6 and its hopes of finishing in the top four and advancing to the round of 16 suffered a major blow. Holon, which has won seven BSL games in a row, still has six more games to play in the regular season.
Glen Rice Jr. led Holon with 18 points, while Ovie Soko scored 21 for the winners.