Rishon back on track in the BSL with win over Nahariya

Sharon Drucker’s team outscored Nahariya 31-16 in the third quarter on Saturday to open a 19-point gap (74-55) from which the visitors could not return.

By ALLON SINAI
Maccabi Rishon Lezion guard Shawn Dawson (photo credit: ODED KARNI)
Maccabi Rishon Lezion guard Shawn Dawson
(photo credit: ODED KARNI)
Maccabi Rishon Lezion finally returned to winning ways in the BSL on Saturday night, beating Ironi Nahariya 93-85 to improve to an 11-10 record.
Despite its success in Europe, Rishon lost its way in local league action in recent weeks, falling to a .500 record for the first time since the start of the campaign with last week’s 86-84 loss at Maccabi Ashdod.
Rishon, which faces Skyliners Frankfurt in the best-of-three quarterfinals of the Europe Cup later this month, won eight of its first 10 games in the BSL, but then went 2-8 in its next 10.
Sharon Drucker’s team outscored Nahariya 31-16 in the third quarter on Saturday to open a 19-point gap (74-55) from which the visitors could not return.
Mark Lyon led Rishon with 25 points, with Shawn Dawson scoring 24.
Richard Howell had 27 points for Nahariya (12-10).
Maccabi Haifa lost a golden opportunity to close in on Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Jerusalem after suffering a 90-83 defeat at Maccabi Ashdod on Saturday.
Haifa could have moved within a single game of the top two with a victory, but instead fell to 13-8, allowing a team to score more than 90 points in a game for just the third time this season.
Isaiah Swann and Willy Workman had 18 points each for Ashdod (11-11), while Gregory Vargas netted 18 for Haifa.
On Sunday, Maccabi Tel Aviv looks to continue gathering momentum when it hosts Hapoel Tel Aviv in the derby.
Maccabi enters the game on the back of a four-game winning streak, moving to 15-6 last week, while Hapoel (8-13) is only one game above last place in the standings.
Elsewhere Sunday, Hapoel Holon hosts Maccabi Kiryat Gat, with both teams tied with a league worst 7-14 record.
Hapoel Jerusalem aims to get back on track on Monday when it hosts Bnei Herzliya.
Jerusalem was outplayed by Kiryat Gat last week, losing for the seventh time in its past nine games over all competitions.
Hapoel signed Eli Holman last week in an attempt to steady the ship, bringing in a player who was also rumored to have been negotiating with Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Also Monday, Hapoel Eilat visits Ironi Ness Ziona.