Hapoel Emek Blown Out After 18-Point Lead, Kiryat Ata Advances

Kiryat Ata staged a dramatic comeback to defeat Hapoel Emek 99-98 in overtime on Wednesday, securing a spot in the quarterfinals of the Winner Cup. The team, coached by Eldad Bentov, trailed by as many as 18 points during the game but rallied to win. Kiryat Ata will now face Maccabi Tel Aviv in the next round.

Hapoel Emek started the game strong, hitting seven three-pointers in the first quarter and building a double-digit lead. They extended their advantage to 18 points in the second quarter, seemingly in control. However, Kiryat Ata fought back before halftime, narrowing the deficit to just one point thanks to strong defense and consistent offense.

In the second half, Hapoel Emek regained momentum, with Niv Misgav playing a key role in extending their lead again. However, late plays by Daniel Sharon, Tomer Assaf, and Holland Woods forced overtime after Misgav missed a potential game-winning three-pointer. The extra period continued the drama, with Kiryat Ata ultimately prevailing through smart plays in the closing moments.

Bentov praised his team's resilience, highlighting three players who scored 20 or more points. Despite strong performances from Hapoel Emek's players, including Malik Hall and Roey Natsia, their efforts were not enough to secure the victory.