Local Basketball: Hapoel Jerusalem cruises over Rishon

J'lem looking good ahead of meeting with Ventspils in first elimination round of ULEB Cup.

By ALLON SINAI
hap jlem tapiro 298.88 (photo credit: Asaf Kliger)
hap jlem tapiro 298.88
(photo credit: Asaf Kliger)
Hapoel Jerusalem recorded its third straight win in the BSL on Saturday night, thrashing Maccabi Rishon Lezion 104-85, and appears to be in top form ahead of its meeting with Ventspils in the first elimination round of the ULEB Cup on Tuesday evening. Jerusalem, which has climbed to second place in the standings for at least 24 hours, dominated Rishon on Saturday and its win was never in any danger after beginning the game with a 6-0 run. The hosts extended their lead as the quarter progressed and were up 31-20 after 10 minutes. Rishon, which has now lost five of its last six BSL games, lost Reggie Moore after the first period and Hapoel opened an unassailable 61-37 lead by halftime. Jerusalem maintained its comfortable advantage in the second half of the game, allowing coach Dan Shamir to fine-tune his team ahead of the club's important European tie. The four remaining games of Matchday 9 will be played on Sunday evening: Hapoel Afula/Gilboa vs Maccabi Tel Aviv, Elitzur Ashkelon vs Hapoel Galil Elyon-Golan, Bnei Hasharon vs Ironi Ramat Gan, Maccabi Givat Shmuel vs Ironi Nahariya. Saturday's results: Hapoel Jerusalem 104, Maccabi Rishon Lezion 85. Sunday: Elitzur Ashkelon vs Hapoel Galil Elyon-Golan, 7 p.m.; Bnei Hasharon vs Ironi Ramat Gan, 7 p.m.; Maccabi Givat Shmuel vs Ironi Nahariya, 7 p.m.; Hapoel Afula/Gilboa vs Maccabi Tel Aviv, 7:10 p.m.