JERUSALEM, June 15 (Xinhua) -- Hapoel Tel Aviv achieved an 85-67 home win over reigning champions Maccabi Tel Aviv in Game 2 of the Israeli Super League's best-of-three final series on Saturday night.
In front of about 3,500 fans at the Shlomo Group Arena in northern Tel Aviv, Hapoel dominated the first quarter 29-17, thanks to assists by Tyler Ennis and points by Xavier Munford.
Josh Nebo and Bonzie Colson inspired Maccabi to cut the deficit to 33-37 in the 18th minute, but important points by Jalen Hoard helped Hapoel to a 46-35 lead at halftime.
Hapoel's Kyle Alexander and Ennis were unstoppable in the third quarter, where they were once 17 points ahead.
Colson tried to bring the Yellow-blues back to business in the last quarter, but crucial points by Munford secured Hapoel's win.
Munford scored a game-high 25 points, while Hoard added 15 more. Roman Sorkin topped Maccabi scorers with 16 points.
Game 3 will be played on Monday night at Maccabi's home venue Menora Mivtachim Arena in Southern Tel Aviv. ■
