Rishon defeats Haifa as battle for 2nd place heats up

Aside from Maccabi Tel Aviv winning every game by double-figures, the BSL has been completely unpredictable this season.

By ALLON SINAI
Maccabi Rishon Lezion 311 (photo credit: BSL)
Maccabi Rishon Lezion 311
(photo credit: BSL)
Aside from Maccabi Tel Aviv winning every game by double-figures, the BSL has been completely unpredictable this season.
At least five teams are in contention to finish as runner-up to Maccabi in the regular season, with even the struggling Ironi Ashkelon still only one game off of eighth position and a place in the playoffs.
Maccabi Rishon Lezion climbed into second place in the standings on Saturday, at least for 24 hours, after beating Maccabi Haifa 96-85.
Rishon outscored Haifa 27-10 in the second period to open an unassailable lead on the way to its fourth straight victory.
Dwayne Mitchell and Raymar Morgan scored 18 points each for Rishon, with Marco Killingsworth contributing 27 points and 10 rebounds for Haifa, which is back to losing ways after finally winning two weeks ago.
Hapoel Gilboa/Galil hosts Bnei Hasharon on Sunday, with both teams entering the game with a 9-7 record and the winner guaranteed to move into second position, at least until Hapoel Jerusalem hosts Hapoel Holon on Monday night.
Gilboa is going for its third straight win, while Bnei Hasharon has won three of its last four games, but was thrashed by 46 points by Maccabi Tel Aviv two weeks ago.
Also Sunday, Maccabi Tel Aviv, fresh off claiming the State Cup on Thursday, will prepare for Thursday’s important Euroleague game at Olimpija Ljubljana with a home encounter against Maccabi Ashdod, while the losing finalist, Barak Netanya, visits Ashkelon.