Nes Ziona used a second half comeback to down BC Kyiv 90-76 and punch their ticket to the FIBA Europe Cup Quarterfinals. Brad Greenberg’s club was down 44-36 at half-time but used a tremendous third quarter final to cruise to the win. Braian Angola led the way for Nes Ziona with 21 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists, Patrick Miller added 20 points, 5 boards and 6 assists, Nimrod Levi chipped in with 13 points and Jerome Meyinssee scored 11 points in the win. Serhii Pavlov scored 18 points for Kyiv while Bodgan Bliznyuk added 17 points for coach Ainars Bagatskis’s squad in the loss.

The quarterfinal will see Nes Ziona tip off against Iraklis on Friday night at 20:00 Israel time as the Greek club advanced by defeating Anwil 86-81. Olivier Hanlan paced Iraklis with 22 points, Devin Ebanks added 18 points and Scott Suggs who played part of last season with Maccabi Haifa chipped in with 12 points,

Maccabi Rishon Le’Zion pummeled Maccabi Haifa 102-72 in a game that was never close as Akil Mitchell starred in the victory. Mitchell scored 27 points, pulled down 13 rebounds and chalked up 5 steals to pace Guy Goodes squad, Golan Gutt added 18 points, Jeremy Parho scrod 12 points and dished out 12 assists while Darryl Monroe scored 10 points and grabbed 9 boards in the win. Michael Brisker led Haifa with 18 points in the loss.

“I was really happy with our energy on defense as we deflated balls and were very active,” explained Goodes. I told the players that it’s all up to them and that we have five games left before the playoffs where we can win every one of lose every one of them.”

Hapoel Gilboa Galil easily got by TFT 94-68 in Balkan League action as Yotam Hanochi led the way with 17 points while Amit Gershon added 17 points and Jehyve Floyd scored 12 points in the win.