Nes Ziona downed Hapoel HaEmek 80-70 as stifling second half defense along with timely offense helped the hosts take the win at the Lev HaMoshava Arena. The first half saw Sharon Avrahami’s team control the pace of play with points from Roey Netzia and Cameron Henry, however, in the second half it was all Paul Corsaro’s team as Spencer Weisz, Itay Moskovits, Bryce Brown and Desi Rodriguez turned the tables on both ends of the floor to snatch the victory.

Brown scored 15 points, Weisz added 14 points and 10 rebounds while Moskovitz put in 13 points in the victory while Rafi Menco scored 18 points, Henry chipped in with 14 points and Niv Misgav scored 11 points in the loss.

Nes Ziona Head Coach Paul Corsaro spoke about the win, “Our team showed a lot of heart and being down at half, we could have given up and crumbled but I challenged the guys after last game and we came together in the second half and we rallied together with great defense and I’m happy that we were able to take a hard earned win with toogh defense which has to be our identity.”

Hapoel HaEmek Hed Coach Sharon Avrahami spoke about the defeat, “We knew we would have some issues this game because we didn’t have Kyler Edwards and we played well for about 27 minutes but then things went the wrong way as Nes Ziona derives credit and we’re fighting for their lives. Kyler Edwards not playing was key and not having him is an issue but we should have done a bit better and we have to look at what we can do better.”

Spencer Weisz summarized the game, “It was great with a great atmosphere and we win which we really needed. We’ve been working hard with the new staff and some players and in this game you saw our character and what we are trying to instill. In the past we may have crumbled but here we were able to comeback with a good effort and thanks to the fans.”

Nick Ogenda reflected on the loss, “We started off really well and we played our roles but as the end of the game came we started playing too fast and we needed to play more together. I feel we did a good job even without Kyler and our new signing Brandon Johnson. I feel like we played really good basketball and it translates to the court, we have good pieces and a good record and we have a good chance to take the title.”

Netzia was hot from deep with a trio of triples for Hapoel HaEmek while Brown and Lotan Amsalem responded for Nes Ziona to keep the game close 20-19 after the first quarter. Menco, Max Brooks and Henry all made an impact in the second quarter for Sharon Avrahami’s team as Amsalem, Brown and Moskovits tried to keep the game close but a Misgav 3-pointer at the halftime buzzer gave HaEmek a 45-37 advantage.

Jackson Rowe started filling the basket to begin the third quarter as did Brown, Menco countered, but TJ Cline scored for the hosts to cut the lead to 59-57 after thirty minutes of action. Desi Rodriguez scored with ease in the paint to get the fourth quarter underway, Moskovitz dialled up long distance, Spencer Weisz hit a pair from deep and scored a deuce as well while Rowe and Rodriguez both scored to close out the game.

In other action, Maccabi Ramat Gan defeated Hapoel Galil Elyon 82-71 as Terrell Brown and Wesley Harris paced the visitors to the road win. Brown scored 23 points and Wesley Harris added 16 points in the victory while Raz Adam scored 15 points in the loss.