Hapoel Tel Aviv slipped by Nes Ziona 97-94 thanks to a superb second half that saw Xavier Munford, Braian Angola and Bar Timor help will the Reds to the victory at the Drive In Arena. The visitors opened the game strong with terrific play from Rawle Alkins and Isaiah Whitehead to grab a 10 point lead at halftime, but the hosts came storming back over the final twenty minutes to take the victory.

Munford scored 26 points, Angola added 23 points and 12 rebounds while Timor scored 15 points in the win. Alkins led all scorers with 28 points, Jerime Meyinsse scored 20 points and Whitehead chipped in with 17 points in the loss.

The game MVP Braian Angola spoke about the victory, “Nes Ziona were always fighting and they hit tough shots, but we stayed together and played our game. The first half was tough so we’re happy to take the win. We wanted it more than them even though we were down 14 points in the first half. We came back and played our game.”

Nes Ziona took it to Hapoel Tel Aviv from the tip-off as Rawle Alkins, Isaiah Whitehead and Itay Segev all got busy early while Bar Timor, Braian Angola and Xavier Munford responded but the visitors took a 27-20 lead after ten minutes of play. Jerome Meyinsse started to dominate the inside while Atkins and Whitehead continued to score as the Reds tried to keep pace but Elad Hasin’s squad took a 48-38 advantage into halftime.

Hapoel Tel Aviv came out of the break on a mission as Angola scored in bundles along with Munford and Timor to take the third quarter 30-11 and grab a 68-59 lead after thirty minutes of action. Nes Ziona saw Meyinssee, Alkins and Whitehead start cutting into the Reds lead Munford and Zalmanson scored their free throws, Alkins came back with a triple but Jaylen Hoard and Angola hit their shots from the charity stripes to secure the win.