Local Hoops: Ramat Gan beats Holon to win fourth out of five

Holon's Tony Washem misses chance to send encounter into overtime with 1.8 seconds to play.

By ALLON SINAI
Ironi ramat gan 88 (photo credit: )
Ironi ramat gan 88
(photo credit: )
Ironi Ramat Gan edged Hapoel Holon 97-96 in the BSL on Monday night, recording its fourth win in its last five games. Holon's Tony Washem had a chance to send the encounter into overtime with 1.8 seconds to play, but after making his first two free throws to bring his team within one point, he missed his final shot and Ramat Gan hung on for the win. "I feel bad, but I know the game wasn't won or lost on that free throw," Washem said after the game. "I should have made it, but it didn't go in. It happens." Ori Itzhaki led Ramat Gan with 22 points, with Brian Tolbert scoring 21 points, grabbing seven rebounds and passing five assists. Washem scored 19 points for Holon, with Malik Dixon adding an identical amount. Ramat Gan surged into a lead right from the tip-off and Elishay Kadir's basket opened a 15-7 lead. Two points by Nir Cohen increased the margin to nine points (22-13), but Holon was only down by five after 10 minutes (30-25). Chris Watson's basket at the start of the second period brought the visitors within one possession (32-29), but the hosts were still ahead at the break (55-47). The third quarter was dominated by Holon, which tied the score a 73-73 thanks to Washem's three-pointer. Ramat Gan entered the final 10 minutes of the encounter with a two point lead (77-75) and Tolbert's triple two-and-a-half minutes into the fourth period extended the margin to eight points (83-75). Hapoel would, however, comeback once more and Dixon's three with just under two minutes to play gave the visitors a 90-89 lead. Ironi regained its lead almost immediately and held on for the win after Washem missed his final free throw.