Hapoel Beer Sheva 79 – 83 Elitzur Maccabi Netanya
Ligat HaAl | May 27, 2026

Match Overview

In a tense and tightly contested Ligat HaAl encounter at the Conch Arena, Elitzur Maccabi Netanya edged out Hapoel Beer Sheva 83–79 on Wednesday night. The visitors produced a gritty fourth‑quarter performance to snatch the win on the road, improving their record in the final stretch of the regular season. For Beer Sheva, the defeat snapped a brief two‑game winning streak and left them hovering just above the mid‑table pack.

First Half: Balanced Start, Netanya’s Edge

The opening quarter saw both teams trade baskets, with Beer Sheva’s inside presence challenging Netanya’s perimeter shooting. Elitzur Maccabi Netanya built a narrow 22‑20 lead after the first ten minutes, capitalising on fast‑break opportunities created by turnovers. In the second quarter, the home side responded through sharp ball movement and a 7‑0 run that briefly put them ahead. However, Netanya’s guard play stabilised the game, and a buzzer‑beating three sent the visitors into the half leading 44‑41.

Second Half: Beer Sheva’s Push and Netanya’s Resilience

Hapoel Beer Sheva came out of the locker room determined to take control. Their defence tightened, forcing Netanya into difficult low‑percentage shots, and an 8‑2 run early in the third quarter gave them a 52‑50 advantage. The lead changed hands several times over the next minutes, with both sets of players showing high energy. By the end of the third period, Beer Sheva held a slim 63‑62 lead.

The final quarter became a battle of composure. Netanya’s backcourt duo of Isaiah Whitehead (21 points, 6 assists) and Yogev Ohayon (17 points, 4 rebounds) took over, attacking the rim and drawing fouls. Down 74‑72 with three minutes left, Netanya executed a 9‑3 run sealed by a clutch triple from Ohayon. Beer Sheva had one final possession to tie the game but turned the ball over, allowing Netanya to ice the contest at the free‑throw line.

Standout Performances

• Isaiah Whitehead (Netanya): 21 points, 6 assists, 3 steals – the engine of the Netanya offence.
• Yogev Ohayon (Netanya): 17 points, 4 rebounds, 3 three‑pointers – clutch down the stretch.
• TaShawn Thomas (Beer Sheva): 18 points, 9 rebounds, 2 blocks – dominant in the paint but lacked support late.
• J’Covan Brown (Beer Sheva): 15 points, 7 assists – kept Beer Sheva in the game with crafty drives.

Season Impact

The victory lifted Elitzur Maccabi Netanya to a 15‑13 record, keeping them in the hunt for a top‑six finish and a direct route to the playoffs. Hapoel Beer Sheva dropped to 14‑14, now tied with several other teams in a congested mid‑table. With only four games remaining, every result carries heavy implications for seeding and the possibility of avoiding the play‑in round.

Netanya’s ability to win on the road against a direct rival highlights their growing poise under pressure, while Beer Sheva will need to address late‑game execution if they hope to make noise in the postseason.