Maccabi Tel Aviv 95-86 Ironi Nahariya
The Yellow & Blue defeated Nahariya with a dominant 32 point 4th quarter to take the win over the nether squad. Deshaun Thomas not only led Maccabi in scoring with 22 points but also was part of the 52 points coming from the bench in which the host’s outscored the visitors 52-9. Michael Roll added 15 points while captain John DiBartolomeo dropped 13. Norris Cole had a rough night from the field going only 1/9 and not featuring over the final 12+ minutes of the game. Yiftah Ziv had a career night for Nahariya with 23 points as Corey Webster added 18 in the loss.

Norris Cole spoke to The Sports Rabbi following the game:
“It always feels good to win. It’s an Israeli league game and it’s ok that we won. Other guys stepped up and that’s what its all about. I don’t think we had a let down. We won. Every Israeli League team plays us tough. That’s the way it goes.”

Looking ahead to Baskonia on Thursday:
“There’s always a chance and we have to take it one day at a time. We still have to do our job, it’s never over until it’s over. As long as we still mathematically have a chance we have to go out there and take care of business and see what happens.”

Nes Ziona 83-82 Hapoel Tel Aviv
The host’s used an 11-0 run to end the game with the victory as Daequan Cook’s free throw with 3 seconds left in the contest handed Nes Ziona the victory. Cook finished his night with 22 points as Tal Dunne contributed 20 points. Jerel McNeal led Hapoel with 24 points while Rafi Menco had a disappointing evening with 0 points in 16 minutes.

Hapoel Holon 86-88 Hapoel Jerusalem
Jerusalem showed plenty of character after putting on gutsy performance on the road at Holon as Jerome Dyson turned around a disappointing zero point first half into a 19 point game helping lead the Reds to the victory. Stratos Perperoglou scored 18 points while Richard Howell came one rebound short of a double-double with 14 points and 9 boards. Tu Holloway dropped 26 points for Holon as Glen Rice Jr. added 19 points on 5/18 shooting.

Maccabi Rishon Le’Zion 97-91 Bnei Herzliya
In a highly entertaining game, the host’s came out on top with the win thanks to new recruit Keith Langford’s return to Israeli basketball. The Euroleague’s #25 all-time scorer dropped 20 points in his Rishon debut, pulled down 5 rebounds, handed out 5 assists and drew 7 fouls to help his new team to the win. Jason Siggers had a huge 15 4th quarter points to help seal the victory while Drew Crawford added 20 points for the Orange. Jeff Adrien was a one man wrecking show for Herzliya with 26 points, 11 rebounds and an efficiency rating of 43(!) as Shawn Dawson sliced and diced his way to the rim to end his evening with 29 points in the loss.

Maccabi Haifa 98-95 Hapoel Gilboa/Galil
The Greens took a 15 point lead into halftime, but the visitor’s came storming back, however, their efforts came up just short as the host’s took the win. Oz Blazer scored a huge 15 points while Trevor Gaskins added 17 in the win for Haifa. J’coven Brown’s 31 points and Zach Keday’s 26 were not enough for Gilboa/Galil to steal the victory.

Maccabi Ashdod 75-63 Hapoel Eilat
Sek Henry (18p) and Cameron Long (15p) led the way for Ashdod as they defeated the Red Sea side. Demetrius Treadwell scored 17 points for an overmatched Eilat.