Maccabi Kiryat Gat produced a dazzling offensive display to defeat Elitzur Ashkelon 113-100 in a Club Friendship league matchup on September 27, 2026, at the Ashkelon Sports Arena. The visitors exploded in the third quarter, turning a tight contest into a double-digit victory and handing Elitzur their third loss of the young campaign.

Match Overview

The game was played at a frenetic pace from the opening tip. Maccabi Kiryat Gat led 28-25 after the first quarter and took a narrow 55-52 advantage into halftime. However, the third quarter proved decisive, as Maccabi outscored Elitzur 32-18 to build an 87-70 lead. Elitzur never recovered, and although they won the fourth quarter 30-26, the damage had already been done.

Maccabi shot an impressive 52% from the field, including 15-of-34 from three-point range, and recorded 28 assists on 41 made baskets. Elitzur, meanwhile, shot 47% from the floor but were undone by 16 turnovers and a lack of defensive stops in the pivotal third period. The rebounding battle was nearly even, with Maccabi holding a slight 38-35 edge.

Key Moments

• Second-quarter surge: Elitzur used an 11-2 run midway through the second quarter to briefly take a 48-44 lead. Tomer Yitzhaki capped the run with a four-point play that brought the home crowd to its feet.
• Third-quarter avalanche: Maccabi opened the second half with a 15-2 run, fueled by three consecutive three-pointers from Jordan Davis. The burst turned a three-point halftime lead into a 70-54 advantage and forced Elitzur to call timeout.
• Davis’s dagger: With just under four minutes left in the third quarter, Davis hit a step-back three from the wing to push the lead to 20 points (82-62). It was the moment the game slipped away from Elitzur.
• Elitzur’s late push: The hosts refused to quit, cutting the deficit to 11 points (105-94) with two minutes remaining, but Maccabi calmly knocked down free throws to seal the win.

Tactical Story

Maccabi Kiryat Gat’s game plan was clear: push the pace, spread the floor, and let their guards attack. The strategy worked to perfection. Their ball movement was crisp, and they consistently found open shooters against Elitzur’s scrambling defense. The pick-and-roll combination of Jordan Davis and Avi Ben-Shimon proved unstoppable, with Ben-Shimon rolling hard to the rim or popping out for mid-range jumpers.

Elitzur Ashkelon struggled to contain dribble penetration, which led to open kick-out threes for Maccabi. Offensively, Elitzur relied heavily on isolation plays and had difficulty generating clean looks against Maccabi’s switching defense. Their 16 turnovers were particularly costly, as Maccabi converted them into 21 points. Elitzur also shot just 11-of-32 from beyond the arc, well below their season average.

Standout Players

• Jordan Davis (Maccabi Kiryat Gat): The American guard was the best player on the floor, finishing with 28 points, 6 assists, and 4 rebounds. He shot 10-of-18 from the field and 5-of-9 from three-point range.
• Yonatan Cohen (Maccabi Kiryat Gat): Cohen added 22 points and 9 rebounds, providing a steady inside-outside presence. He was instrumental in the decisive third-quarter run.
• Avi Ben-Shimon (Maccabi Kiryat Gat): The center dominated the paint with 18 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 blocks. His physicality gave Elitzur fits all night.
• Tomer Yitzhaki (Elitzur Ashkelon): Yitzhaki led the hosts with 24 points and 7 assists, showcasing his scoring ability and playmaking. He was the primary reason Elitzur stayed within striking distance for three quarters.
• Daniel Levi (Elitzur Ashkelon): Levi contributed 19 points and 8 rebounds, but he was limited to just 28 minutes due to foul trouble.
• Marcus Hall (Elitzur Ashkelon): The import forward added 17 points and 5 rebounds, but he struggled defensively against Maccabi’s athletic wings.

Standings and Season Impact

The win lifts Maccabi Kiryat Gat to 3-1 in the Club Friendship league standings, keeping them near the top of the table. Elitzur Ashkelon, meanwhile, fall to 1-3 and remain in the lower half of the standings. The head-to-head record now favors Maccabi, who have won the last two meetings between the clubs.

For Maccabi, the victory is a testament to their offensive firepower and depth. They have now scored over 100 points in three of their four games. Elitzur will need to tighten their defense and reduce turnovers if they hope to climb the standings. Their upcoming schedule offers opportunities to bounce back, but they must address their third-quarter woes, having been outscored in that period in each of their last three