Hapoel Jerusalem wins third straight game

Hapoel Jerusalem moved back over .500 in the BSL on Saturday, beating Hapoel Tel Aviv 72-65 for its third straight victory over all competitions. After conceding an average 90 points in the Eurocup defeat to Lokomotiv Kuban Krasnodar in Russia and the BSL loss against Hapoel Eilat, Jerusalem has lifted its defensive play over the past 10 days. Hapoel has allowed just 67.7 points in victories over Ulm of Germany and two wins over Hapoel Tel Aviv in State Cup and league action, getting its campaign back on track on all fronts. Tel Aviv took a two-point edge (37- 35) into the interval on Saturday, and there was nothing to separate the teams (49-49) entering the final 10 minutes. The game remained tight until the final stages, with Jerusalem getting the crucial stops on defense to wrap up the win. Curtis Jerrells scored 18 points for Jerusalem, which improved to 6-5, with Tarence Kinsey and Yotam Halperin adding 13 points each. Darrell Williams had 22 points and 14 rebounds for Tel Aviv, which fell to 6-5. Also Saturday, Bnei Herzliya returned to winning ways with an 83-71 win over Maccabi Ashdod. Herzliya had its four-game winning streak snapped with an 81-74 defeat to Hapoel Holon, but dominated Ashdod, opening an 11-point gap (40-29) at the break and remaining in control to improve to 7-4. Herzliya had six players in double figures, with Jeff Adrien finishing with a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds and young Israeli star Karam Mashour also netting 16 points. Chase Simon had 24 points for Ashdod, which fell to 4-8. On Sunday, Hapoel Holon aims to continue its strong start to the season when it visits rock-bottom Maccabi Kiryat Gat. Hapoel Eilat hosts Maccabi Haifa and Ironi Nahariya visits Hapoel Gilboa/Galil. Latvian Ainars Bagatskis will guide Maccabi Tel Aviv for the first time when it visits reigning champion Maccabi Rishon Lezion on Monday. Tel Aviv lost to Gilboa in its most recent BSL game, while Rishon is coming off a shock exit in the State Cup round of 16, losing to Hapoel Beersheba of the National League.

Hapoel Jerusalem wins third straight game

Hapoel has allowed just 67.7 points in victories over Ulm of Germany.

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