Hapoel Holon wins again to improve to 5-1

Holon improved to a 5-1 record, outscoring Haifa 8-0 in the final two minutes to build on last week’s 23-point win over Hapoel Jerusalem.

By ALLON SINAI
Hapoel Holon guard Khalif Wyatt had 25 points in last night’s 99-76 win over Hapoel Jerusalem. (photo credit: ADI AVISHAI)
Hapoel Holon guard Khalif Wyatt had 25 points in last night’s 99-76 win over Hapoel Jerusalem.
(photo credit: ADI AVISHAI)
Hapoel Holon moved tied with Maccabi Tel Aviv at the summit of the BSL standings on Monday night, continuing its surprise start to the season with a tense 80-75 home win over Maccabi Haifa.
Holon improved to a 5-1 record, outscoring Haifa 8-0 in the final two minutes to build on last week’s 23-point win over Hapoel Jerusalem.
Haifa looked to be in complete control at the break, holding a 15-point gap (43-28). The hosts closed within a single possession (58-55) with 10 minutes to play and ended the night with a 20-6 run to clinch the win.
Shlomi Harush had 24 points and seven rebounds for the winners, with Darion Atkins adding 23 points and 17 rebounds and Khalif Wyatt scoring 19 points.
Will Graves netted 18 points for Haifa, which fell to 2-4.
“We knew it would be difficult with their size, rebounding and defense and we didn’t react the way we should have done in the first half,” said Holon coach Dan Shamir. “We are very happy with the win, but we need to play better than this. We have started the season well, but we are not only focusing on the results and we want to improve our performance.”
Hapoel Tel Aviv dropped to its third defeat in four games on Monday, falling to 3-3 with a surprise 82-75 loss at Maccabi Kiryat Gat.
Kiryat Gat entered the day as the only team in the league with just one win, but scored 18 of the final 25 points of the night to secure the victory.
Tyshawn Taylor led five Kiryat Gat players in double figures with 25 points.
Richard Howell had 19 points and 11 rebounds for Hapoel.
Hapoel Gilboa/Galil joined Hapoel Tel Aviv and four other teams at 3-3 with an 84-69 win over Hapoel Eilat at Gan Ner Arena.
Gilboa led by five points at the break, but seized control in the third quarter, taking a 12-point gap (62-50) into the final 10 minutes and cruising to the win.
Jason Siggers netted 17 points for Gilboa, while Robert Rothbart had 16 points for Eilat, which fell to 2-4.
“We don’t need to get carried away,” said Gilboa coach Ariel Beit-Halachmi.
“We have a young team and the guys are amazing, but we need to take one game at a time.”
On Tuesday, Ironi Nahariya (0-4) hosts Slovenian team Domzale in Group A of the FIBA Champions League. Rishon (2-2) welcomes Avtodor Saratov in Group B on Wednesday.