Elitzur Netanya Beats Ness Ziona to Avoid Immediate Relegation

Elitzur Netanya kept its survival hopes alive on Thursday night with a 88-102 road win over Ness Ziona, postponing relegation for at least one more round. Netanya entered the game knowing that a loss would send it straight down to the National League, but it delivered in the decisive stretch and set up a tense finish to the bottom playoffs. Otis Frazier and Morris Kemp led the winners with 23 points each.

Ness Ziona, which had already secured its place in the league, started strongly at home. Bryce Brown erupted for 19 points and hit 5 of 5 from three-point range in the first half, helping the hosts build an early double-digit lead. Netanya, however, recovered behind Frazier and narrowed the gap before halftime, trailing by just one point, 53-54.

The game stayed close through the third quarter, with the lead changing hands several times. A late push from Netanya, including key baskets by Amit Gershon and Or Cornelius, turned the game in its favor. Netanya finished the third quarter up 70-81 and then extended the margin in the fourth to secure a crucial 88-102 victory.

Despite the win, Netanya still does not control its own fate. It has two games left, against Maccabi Ra'anana and Hapoel Galil Elyon, and needs to win both while Galil Elyon slips in order to stay in the Premier League. Netanya will host Ra'anana in the next round in what could be a decisive game for both teams.