Hap TA builds on momentum

Erez Edelstein’s men toughed out a victory over Holon to improve to 9-11 on the season.

By ALLON SINAI
Hapoel Tel Aviv's Matan Naor 370 (photo credit: Adi Avishai)
Hapoel Tel Aviv's Matan Naor 370
(photo credit: Adi Avishai)
Hapoel Tel Aviv eased its relegation worries on Monday night, beating Hapoel Holon 76-73 for its second straight BSL win after stunning Maccabi in the Tel Aviv derby last week.
It would have been only natural for Hapoel to suffer a letdown after claiming its first derby win in nine years, but Erez Edelstein’s men toughed out a victory over Holon to improve to 9-11 on the season.
A Bar Timor three-pointer capped a 14-2 run which gave Tel Aviv a nine-point margin (35- 26), but the visitors led by just five points (43-38) at the break.
Holon trailed by only two points (73-71) entering the final minute, but it squandered its chances to complete the comeback and Tel Aviv held on for a significant win.
Brian Randle was superb for the winners, scoring 17 points, taking 15 rebounds and passing five assists.
Frank Hassell had 19 points and 13 boards for Holon, which dropped to 7-13 with its third defeat in four games.
Also Monday, a Jamar Smith three-pointer with six seconds remaining gave Hapoel Gilboa/Galil a dramatic 93-92 win over Bnei Herzliya in Gan Ner.
Rakim Sanders had 31 points for Gilboa, which improved to 8-12 with its third victory in four games, with Smith finishing with 20 points. Jumaine Jones had 22 points and 10 boards for Herzliya (8-12), which lost its third straight encounter.