Hapoel Holon defeated Hapoel Haifa 86-75 as a big fourth quarter led by Drew Crawford spurred the hosts to the win. Five of Amit Sherf’s players scored in double digits as Shawn Dawson, CJ Harris and Justin Smith were instrumental over the course of the first half, Mike McGuirl answered time and time again for Guy Goodes’s team but it was Yotam Hanochi and Crawford with all of his 17 points in the final frame to take the win.

Harris scored 18 points, Crawford added 17 points and Hanochi scored 15 points in the victory. McGuirl led all scorers with 28 points and Jon Davis scored 15 points in the loss.

“They played zone defense as we needed to make some different decisions as to how to play,” Holon coach Amit Sherf said. “In the first half we ran, the third quarter was not great but then we were able to get over the hump in the fourth quarter.”

“We gave up too many shots to Crawford in the last quarter and we didn’t answer which grew their lead,” Haifa coach Guy Goodes commented.

The game MVP Drew Crawford spoke about the game that was, “It was a battle for sure but we got stops down the stretch in the second half. Trading baskets is hard to win games and we needed to get stops and then we made our push. I try to effect the game on defense as soon as I come in but I know when I can get into the offense I do so.”

Mike McGuirl scored at will for Hapoel Haifa while Justin Smith responded for Hapoel Holon as the first quarter ended all knotted up at 25-25. Shawn Dawson got busy swishing and dishing while Yotam Hanochi and CJ Harris scored as well to give the hosts a 45-33 lead but Gur Lavi and McGuirl helped cut the advantage down as the visitors went on a 8-0 run to close out the half down 45-41.

Lavi continued to score for Guy Goodes’s squad as Dakari Tucker and Jon Davis also started to find the baskets as Haifa grabbed a slim 59-57 lead after thirty minutes of play but Drew Crawford began to fill the basket, McGuirl answered, but more points from Hanochi and Crawford wrapped up the victory for Holon.