Basketball / Bnot Hasharon gets revenge on Ashdod

A week after suffering a 54-point loss at the hands of Maccabi Ashdod, Bnot Hasharon avenged its Winner Cup loss by upsetting the cup champions 79-76 yesterday in the regular season opener.

Bnot Hasharon took a 10-point lead in the second quarter, but the hosts rallied to erase the lead and go up by 10 points. Bnot Hasharon then stepped up its defense to reverse course and reestablished a double-digit lead before fending off a late attempt by Ashdod to close the gap.

"It's just the first week, but I'm happy that after all we suffered in the preseason, this win will give the players confidence," said Bnot Hasharon head coach Shiki Falah.

Kristi Toliver had a career night for Bnot Hasharon with 33 points, including four three-pointers. Olayinka Sanni contributed 23 points in the winning effort and pulled down 17 rebounds. Courtney Paris, an Oklahoma graduate who played in the WNBA this year, grabbed 22 boards and put up 21 points. Ashley Walker added 20 for Ashdod.

In Ramle, Hapoel Tel Aviv took a surprising lead for most of the game but could not hold on against Elitzur Ramle, falling 79-73. Tel Aviv built a 12-point lead in the second quarter, but Ramle made its move in the third quarter to go up by seven. Tel Aviv was able to tie it once more at 71-71 before Ramle, paced by Diana Jackson's 22 points, pulled away. Randee Henry led Tel Aviv with 20 points.

Visiting Elitzur Netanya shaved a 13-point fourth-quarter lead by Maccabi Ramat Hen to three points, but was held scoreless during the final 2:29 as the hosts prevailed 80-74. Center Tiffany Jackson earned a double-double with 29 points and 11 rebounds for Ramat Hen, while Marshae Dotson scored 25 points for Netanya.

Champion Ramat Hasharon was hardly welcoming to newcomer ASA Jerusalem, winning 84-66 before an almost sellout crowd behind Sheri Sam's 22 points. Danielle Page led Jerusalem in its debut with 21 points.

Tel Hakabir held onto its lead against Elitzur Holon for three quarters, but only managed eight points in the final period and lost 72-62.