Gilboa/Galil stays hot to take first place from Ashkelon

Barak Netanya falls to 0-6 on the season, losing 79-69 at Maccabi Rishon Lezion.

By ALLON SINAI
Hapoel Gilboa Galil 311 (photo credit: Adi Avishai)
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.