By ALLON SINAIGilboa(photo credit: BSL)
Hapoel Gilboa/Galil rebounded from last week's disappointing defeat at Bnei Hasharon on Monday night, thrashing Barak Netanya 109-82 at Gan Ner.
Oded Katash's team led from start to finish, and essentially clinched the victory with a commanding third period.
"I enjoyed our defense in the second half," said Katash. "We didn't allow them to score easy baskets. We knew how to finish off the game and didn't give them a chance to mount a comeback."
The newly-promoted Netanya got the season off to an impressive start, winning five of its first seven games.
However, it was completely outplayed on Monday, giving coach Arik Alfasi plenty of food for thought.
"We didn't show up defensively," Alfasi said. "We didn't show any heart or determination. We were taught a lesson today and we will learn from this."
Elishay Kadir led Gilboa with 19 points, with Dagan Yavzuri adding 15 points and Dion Dowell and Isaiah Swann scoring 13 points each.
"We enjoy playing with each other so much and it shows," Kadir said.
Marco Killingsworth and Danilo Pinnock scored 15 points each for Netanya.
Gilboa opened a double-digit margin after just four minutes, with Yavzuri's three-pointer giving the hosts a 15-5 lead.
Another Yavzuri three ensured Gilboa was still comfortably ahead after 10 minutes (26-17), and Netanya still trailed by nine points at the break (48-39).
Hapoel surged ahead in the third quarter, opening an unassailable lead. Kadir's basket gave the team a 71-51 gap and Gilboa effectively clinched the win after taking a 79-56 lead into the final 10 minutes after outscoring the visitors 31-17 in the third period.
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