Rishon Le Zion Maccabi Holds Off Galil Elyon in Israeli League Thriller

Ligat HaAl – 13 May 2026

Rishon Le Zion Maccabi secured a hard-fought 79–75 victory over Galil Elyon in a tense Israeli Basketball Premier League contest. The home side used a strong fourth-quarter finish to overcome a gritty opponent.

Match Overview

From the opening tip, both teams traded baskets, with neither able to build a lead larger than seven points. Galil Elyon's aggressive defense forced 14 turnovers, but Rishon's experience in clutch moments made the difference.

Key Moments

• Second-quarter surge: Rishon opened a 42–36 halftime lead behind eight points from guard Niv Misgav.
• Galil's rally: A 10–0 run early in the third gave the visitors a 52–50 advantage, their first lead since the first quarter.
• Decisive finish: With the score tied at 73 with two minutes left, Rishon's Shawn Dawson scored a driving layup and then hit two free throws to seal the win.

Standout Performers

Rishon Le Zion Maccabi: Forward Shawn Dawson led all scorers with 24 points and added 8 rebounds. Point guard Niv Misgav contributed 14 points and 7 assists, controlling the tempo in the final quarter.

Galil Elyon: Center Chen Guy posted a double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds, while guard Adam Ariel added 16 points, including four three-pointers.

Season Impact

Rishon Le Zion improved to 14–12, staying in the hunt for a top-four finish in Ligat HaAl. Galil Elyon fell to 10–16, but their competitive performance suggests they can still challenge for a playoff spot.