Maccabi Ramat Gan downed Kiryat Ata 94-89 to continue their dream season in the first division as they have guaranteed themselves a place in the playoffs. Isaiah Miles and Mangok Mathiang came out on fire to give Shmulik Brenner’s team an early lead but James Batemon and Raz Adam kept the game tight throughout the first half and but the hosts took a 41-37 advantage into the break.

Adam Ariel went off from deep to the delight of the home crowd in the third quarter but Sharon Avrahami’s stayed in the game with clutch baskets by Batemon, however, Jordan Cohen scored down the stretch to seal the deal for Maccabi Gan to take the victory. Ariel and Cohen each had 21 points while Miles added 15 points in the win. Adam scored 20 points and Batemon added 18 points in the loss.

Nes Ziona slipped by Hapoel Beer Sheva 98-95 as a red hot Isaiah Whitehead led the hosts back in the fourth quarter to take the 3-point victory. Elad Hasin’s squad came out strong with fine play by Yair Kravits but Mike Lewis and JaKeenan Gant helped Oren Aharoni’s team take a 51-46 lead into halftime.

However, following a tight third quarter Kravits, Tomer Levinson, Rawle Alkins and Whitehead scored at will to take the razor thin win. Kravits scored 22 points, Whitehead added 21 points and Alkins chipped in with 20 points in the win. Lewis scored 21 points and Gant added 20 points in the loss.

“This was a very important win for us,” Hasin said. “I have ti give credit to the players for their heart and soul that led us to the victory. The guys gave it their all and battled to the final whistle. This was different from other games. Tomer Levinson and Yair Kravits were treated and it was terrific to see them perform.”