Nes Ziona slipped by Maccabi Rishon Le’Zion 89-86 in a back and forth battle at Beit Maccabi. Visiting Nes Ziona opened the game well with Frank Bartley and Diante Garrett leading the way but Rishon came storming back as Tu Holloway and Maurice Kemp helped the hosts to the lead. However, Lior Lubin’s squad led by Bartley took the bull by the horns to outscore Guy Goodes’s team over the final frame to snatch the 3-point win.

Bartley scored 28 points, grabbed 7 rebounds and dished out 6 assists to lead Nes Ziona, Garrett added 22 points while Ike Nwamu and Tim Soares scored 12 points a piece in the win. Kemp scored 25 points and Holloway chipped in with 20 points in the loss.

“Great team win,” Bartley told The Sports Rabbi following the win. “We showed a lot of fight and resilience tonight. Made winning plays down the stretch and secured the win in an tough environment! I’m proud of the progress we’ve made and that we’re continuing to make on a weekly basis!”