Hapoel Gilboa Galil 311.
(photo credit: Adi Avishai)
After its outstanding start to the BSL season, Ironi Ashkelon was brought back
down to earth on Sunday night, suffering a 93-74 humbling at the hands of BC
Habika’a.
Ashkelon entered Sunday’s game in first place in the BSL after
winning five of its first six encounters, but it fell behind early on Sunday –
being outscored 25-15 in the first period – and Habika’a cruised to the win in
the final 10 minutes.
Paul Delaney had 20 points and nine assists for the
winners, with Raviv Limonad and Niv Berkowitz scoring 15 points each for
Ashkelon.
Hapoel Gilboa/Galil leapfrogged Ashkelon into first place after
claiming its fourth straight BSL victory, beating Bnei Hasharon 84-82 on the
road.
An extremely tight first half ended in a two-point Gilboa lead
(40-38) and the visitors were ahead by just a single point (63-62) with 10
minutes to play.
However, Gilboa began the fourth quarter with a 10-0
run, capped by an Ido Kozikaro basket, and the northerners held on for a tight
win.
Chaisson Allen led Hapoel with 24 points, with Romeo Travis adding
14 points, seven assists and six rebounds.
Tweety Carter had 26 points
and eight assists for Bnei Hasharon, which got 22 points, 16 rebounds and four
blocks from Golden State Warriors forward Ekpe Udoh, who returned to the US
hours after his debut for the team following the end to the NBA
lockout.
Also Sunday, Barak Netanya fell to 0-6 on the season, losing
79-69 at Maccabi Rishon Lezion.
Netanya only led once in the game – late
in the first period – and despite managing to close to within five points in the
fourth frame, Danny Franco’s side dropped to yet another defeat to continue its
bitterly disappointing start to the season.
On Monday, Maccabi Tel Aviv
visits Maccabi Haifa.
Hapoel Holon defeated Maccabi Ashdod 93-84 in
Saturday’s action, while Hapoel Jerusalem has a bye this week.