Gilboa/Galil bounces back in Ashdod

Lior Lubin’s men restored some lost pride and ensured themselves five home games in the third round by finishing in the topfive in the table.

By ALLON SINAI
Hapoel Gilboa Galil 311 (photo credit: Asaf Kliger)
Hapoel Gilboa Galil 311
(photo credit: Asaf Kliger)
A week after recording the lowest point total in the BSL in 11 seasons, Hapoel Gilboa/Galil claimed a 93-90 victory at Maccabi Ashdod on Monday night, climbing to fifth place in the standings after two rounds of action.
Gilboa only managed just 48 points in last week’s 21- point thrashing at the hands of Bnei Hasharon, but Lior Lubin’s men restored some lost pride on Monday and ensured themselves five home games in the third round by finishing in the topfive in the table.
“I’m very happy we won after last week’s showing,” Lubin said. “I’m optimistic ahead of the third round.”
Warren Carter led six Gilboa players in double figures with 19 points, with Courtney Fells adding 14 points for the victors, who shot 24 of 40 (60 percent) from two-point range a week after going 20 of 67 (30 percent) from the field.
Josh Carter, Warren’s brother, had 21 points for Ashdod, which has lost five straight games, with Wayne Wallace contributing 16 points and 13 rebounds.
Gilboa, which last week became the first team since the 1999/2000 season to score less than 50 points in a BSL game, got off to a flying start, beginning the game with an 11-2 run, capped by a Carter basket.
However, the hosts slowly ate away at the lead and after 10 minutes trailed by just three points (21-18).
Gilboa maintained a slender margin for almost all of the second period, but a Meir Tapiro three-pointer gave Ashdod its first lead in the final minute of the first half and the hosts were ahead by two points (41-39) at the break.
The game was still wide open after three periods, with the score tied at 67-67, and it was clear that the encounter would go down to the wire.
The visitors had a five-point gap with 30 seconds to play, but Carter’s three-pointer brought Ashdod within one possession. Ramel Bradley then had a chance to tie the score, but his crucial shot was short and Gilboa held on for an important win.