The women’s team of the Herzliya girls tonight (Sunday) achieved a 65:73 away victory over Hapoel Petah Tikva, and at the same time Elitzur Holon defeated Maccabi Haifa 71:78 at home, in the 17th round games of the Athena Winner Women’s Basketball League. The rest of the round will be completed tomorrow ( First time 19:00): Hapoel Rishon LeZion – Maccabi Raanana (17:00); Maccabi Girls Ashdod – AS Ramat Hasharon; Maccabi Urban Ramat Gan – Elitzur Ramla.
Hapoel Bnei Petah Tikva – Banot Herzliya 73:65 (38:27)
A fourth consecutive league win for Danny Gutt’s team, which greatly improved its status, after another wonderful evening of Marina Maybri, Victoria McCauley and Pollard Najai. Herzliya finished the first quarter with a 13:19 advantage and the first half ended with a double-digit advantage 27:38 after a three by Hadar Hadad and points by Nofar Shalom.
In the third quarter, Herzliya’s momentum continued to 30:46 after Najai’s points, but threes by Tal Sahar and Daniel Hajaj and points by Willowi shrank to 46:38. The same Willoughby sent the teams to the final quarter after a three that shrank to 55:46. In the last 10 minutes, Herzliya maintained its advantage. Tia Perlsi added a three that raised her team to 53:69 and until the end Marina Maveri almost completed another triple-double.
Scorers for Petah Tikva: Jocelyn Willoughby 19 (11 rebounds), Kayla Charles 12 (10 rebounds), Tal Sahar 11, Kristin Simon (18 rebounds) and Moran Sapir 8 each, Daniel Hajaj 5, Nitzan Amar 2. Scorers for Herzliya: Marina Maibri 23 (10 rebounds, 8 assists), Pollard Najai 19, Victoria McCauley 16 (12 rebounds), Nofar Shalom 7, Hadar Hadad and Tia Presley 3 each, Lehi Ozeri 2.
Elitzur Holon – Maccabi Haifa 71:78 (30:39)
The host recorded her victory tonight thanks to Shay Kelly, who excelled with 26 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists. Holon dominated the first half that ended at 30:39 after two first quarters that ended at 13:21 and 17:18. The third quarter ended at 18:18 and both teams started the last 10 minutes with 48:57 to Holon. From here, Sequoia Holmes, Daniel Reber, Shai Doron and Shay Kelly raised Holon to 53:69. Haifa managed to shrink to 74:68 about a minute and a half to go, but it was not enough.
Scorers for Holon: Shay Kelly 26 (10 rebounds, 6 assists), Daniel Rover 14 (11 rebounds), Emmy Rinat 13, Shay Doron 12, Chelsea Hopkins 8 (10 rebounds, 8 assists), Sequoia Holmes 3, Ayala Roth 2 Scorers for Haifa: Tiana Moldro 23 (10 rebounds), Fionda Fitzgerald 19, Nia Kofi 16, Ofir Kastan 9, Courtney Douglas 4.