Holon back on track, retains hold on top spot in BSL

Holon had its seven-game winning streak snapped with last week’s home loss to Hapoel Jerusalem.

By ALLON SINAI
Hapoel Holon forward Glen Rice Jr. (photo credit: UDI ZITIAT)
Hapoel Holon forward Glen Rice Jr.
(photo credit: UDI ZITIAT)
Hapoel Holon returned to winning ways and secured first position in the BSL standings entering the third and final round of the regular season after defeating Ironi Nahariya 99-81 on Sunday night.
Holon had its seven-game winning streak snapped with last week’s home loss to Hapoel Jerusalem, but had little trouble bouncing back against the struggling Nahariya, which lost its sixth straight game.
Glen Rice Jr. had 23 points, six rebounds and five assists for Holon, which improved to a 17-5 record and owns the head-to-head tie-breaker over Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Maccabi can also move to 17-5 if it beats Hapoel Tel Aviv on Monday, but that would still leave it in second position. The only real significance of finishing the second round in first place is that Holon will host Maccabi in their final regular season meeting during the third round of games.
Jonathan Skjoldebrand netted 20 points for Nahariya, which fell to a league-worst 7-15.
Maccabi Ashdod strengthened its position in the top four on Sunday with an 82-78 win at Bnei Herzliya. Ben McCauley had 19 points and 10 rebounds for Ashdod, which improved to 13-9. Jeff Adrien finished with 26 points and 14 boards for Herzliya, which fell to 8-14.
Also Sunday, Zach LeDay had 23 points and nine rebounds for Hapoel Gilboa/ Galil (10-12) in its 90-76 victory over Maccabi Rishon Lezion (9-13). Keith Langford scored 24 points for Rishon.
BSL action continues on Monday, with Maccabi Tel Aviv hoping to gets its campaign back on track when it visits Hapoel in the derby.
Maccabi’s 83-72 loss at Baskonia Vitoria on Thursday officially ended its hopes of reaching the Euroleague playoffs. Tel Aviv visits Valencia in its final regular season game on Friday.
Maccabi has almost two more months of BSL regular season action to go through before the start of the quarterfinal playoffs and the Final Four tournament in which it will hope to win a first BSL championship since 2014. Tel Aviv has lost in the BSL semifinals in each of the past three seasons.
Hapoel has lost five of its past six games to fall to 10-11 after previously winning four of five contests, a run which began at the start of January with a 77-73 victory in the derby at Yad Eliyahu Arena.
Also Monday, Hapoel Eilat (10-11) welcomes Ness Ziona (9-12) and Hapoel Jerusalem (13-8) looks to continue and build momentum when it goes to Maccabi Haifa (7-14).


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