Maccabi Kiryat Gat 89 – 78 Hapoel Migdal Haemek
Israel Basketball League | 12 May 2026

Maccabi Kiryat Gat produced a commanding second‑half surge to defeat Hapoel Migdal Haemek 89‑78 on Tuesday night, solidifying their playoff ambitions in the Israel Basketball League. Playing on home hardwood, Kiryat Gat shrugged off a sluggish opening quarter and used a balanced offensive attack to pull away in the final two periods.

Match Overview

The contest was tightly contested through the first 20 minutes, with both teams trading leads. Hapoel Migdal Haemek, entering the game needing a win to climb out of the middle of the standings, came out with energy and matched Kiryat Gat’s inside game. However, a decisive third quarter — in which the hosts outscored the visitors 28‑18 — turned the momentum for good. Kiryat Gat’s defensive pressure forced six turnovers in that span, converting them into fast‑break points.

By the fourth quarter, the home side had built a double‑digit lead that they managed comfortably until the final buzzer. The final score of 89‑78 reflected Kiryat Gat’s superior depth and execution down the stretch.

Key Moments

• First‑Quarter Tightrope: Hapoel Migdal Haemek opened with a 12‑4 run, but Kiryat Gat answered with a 9‑0 spurt capped by a three‑pointer from their guard, cutting the deficit to 21‑20 after the first period.
• Turning Point in the Third: With the score tied at 45‑45 early in the third quarter, Kiryat Gat’s veteran forward scored six consecutive points, including a three‑point play, sparking a 15‑2 run that put the home team ahead for good.
• Clutch Free‑Throws: In the final three minutes, Kiryat Gat went 8‑for‑8 from the free‑throw line to seal the victory and prevent any late comeback by the visitors.

Standout Players

• Maccabi Kiryat Gat – No. 23, Guard: Led all scorers with 24 points on 9‑of‑14 shooting, adding 6 assists and 4 steals. His ability to break down the defence in the pick‑and‑roll opened up the entire offence.
• Hapoel Migdal Haemek – No. 11, Center: Dominated the boards with 14 rebounds and scored 18 points, but was limited to only 2 field goals in the second half thanks to Kiryat Gat’s double‑teams.
• Kiryat Gat’s Bench: The reserves contributed 28 points and provided crucial energy in the third‑quarter run, outscoring their counterparts by 12 points.

Impact on the Standings

The victory lifted Maccabi Kiryat Gat to a 16‑12 record, keeping them firmly in the top‑six race for a direct playoff spot. Hapoel Migdal Haemek, meanwhile, dropped to 13‑15 and now sit just two games clear of the relegation zone. With each remaining game holding weight, this result could prove pivotal in the final push toward the postseason.

Kiryat Gat’s head coach praised his team’s resilience after the game: “We didn’t panic when they started strong. We trusted our system and executed better in the second half. This is the type of win that builds momentum.”