Hapoel Holon defeated Elitzur Netanya 82–79, after a dramatic finish at the Toto Arena. Holon improved to 2-0 in Winner Cup action and advanced to the quarterfinals*, where they will face Hapoel HaEmek, while Netanya, now 1-1, will head to the play-in round where they will face Bnei Herzliya.

Netanya’s Otis Frazier missed a crucial free throw in the final seconds while trying to complete the comeback while Xavier Munford made his free throws and Frazier’s buzzer-beater attempt was blocked by Jordan McRae as the game to a end. Originally, the game was slated to be played in Netanya but it was moved earlier today due to a concert at the diamond city squad’s home arena.

Jordan McRae scored 22 points, Xavier Munford added 13 points and Todd Withers put in 12 points in the win. Otis Frazier scored 24 points, Shaq Buchanan checked in with 19 points and Or Cornelius scored 15 points in the loss.

Xavier Munford spoke about the game, “I felt good. In general, I think we’re getting better each and every day. I think coming from Hungary just compounded it and just keep working and getting better each day. I think guys are feeling each other out, I understand where guys want the ball and how guys play. I think it’s a working progress but I feel good about it.”

The guard also talks about allowing Netanya to come back late in the game and almost steal the victory, “Honestly I think it was great for us, a great learning experience, for guys who didn’t play in the league before to understand the intensity and pressure that takes, got to be able to close out games and understand what teams like Netanya can bring to the league. It’s a great learning experience for us and something for us to build on.”

Hapoel Tel Aviv secured its spot in the Winner Cup quarterfinals on Tuesday with a 101–66 road win over Ironi Kiryat Ata, clinching first place in Group B. The Reds will face the runner-up of Group A (to be determined in Wednesday’s games) in the final eight. Kiryat Ata, coached by Eldad Bentov, will try to reach the quarterfinals via the play-in round, where they will face the third-place team from Group A on Saturday night.

Final Group B standings:
1. Hapoel Tel Aviv – 2-0 (+88)
2. Ironi Kiryat Ata – 1-1 (-11)
3. Ironi Nes Ziona – 0-2 (-77)

Dan Oturu led all scorers with 22 points (9/9 from two-point range), Elijah Bryant added 16 points while Bar Timor scored 11 points in the win. Yuval Hochstater and Ilay Dolinski scored10 each in the loss.

Bnei Herzliya defeated Hapoel HaEmek at home this evening (Monday), 88–85, in a Winner Cup group game. Despite the loss, HaEmek finished first in Group D and advanced to the quarterfinals, while Herzliya finished second and will move on to the play-in stage. Maccabi Ra’anana was eliminated from tournament play.

Elijah Stewart scored 23 points, Chinanu Onuaku added 18 points (11 rebounds, 6 assists, 6 turnovers) and Max Heidegger scored 16 points in the win. Niv Misgav scored 24 points (7 assists), Kyler Edwards put in 21 points and Kadin Shedrick scored 15 points in the loss.