Bnei Yehuda (W) delivered a commanding second-half performance to defeat Maccabi Ironi Ramat Gan Maccabi Raanana Women 79-66 in an Israel Women's Premier League matchup. The visitors used a decisive 20-9 run bridging the second and third quarters to turn a close game into a comfortable victory, handing the home side their first home loss of the young season.

Match Overview

The opening quarter was a cagey affair, with both teams trading baskets and neither able to build a lead larger than four points. Maccabi Raanana’s guards found success driving to the rim, while Bnei Yehuda relied on their inside presence and offensive rebounding. At the end of the first period, Bnei Yehuda held a slim 22-18 advantage.

The second quarter is where the game tilted. Bnei Yehuda tightened their defense, forcing Maccabi Raanana into six turnovers and holding them to just 15 points. Meanwhile, the visitors’ offense clicked, scoring 20 points in the period to take a 42-33 lead into halftime. The third quarter was more of the same, as Bnei Yehuda extended their lead to 19 points before Maccabi Raanana mounted a late comeback attempt that ultimately fell short.

Maccabi Raanana won the fourth quarter 17-18, but the damage had already been done. Bnei Yehuda’s balanced scoring and disciplined defense proved too much for the home side to overcome.

Key Moments

• Second-quarter surge: Bnei Yehuda closed the first half on a 12-4 run, capped by a buzzer-beating jumper from their shooting guard.
• Third-quarter knockout: A 10-0 run early in the third quarter pushed the lead to 19 and forced Maccabi Raanana to burn two timeouts.
• Late resistance: Maccabi Raanana cut the deficit to 10 with three minutes left, but Bnei Yehuda responded with five straight points to seal the win.

Standout Performers

Bnei Yehuda’s victory was powered by a balanced attack, with three players scoring in double figures. Forward Shira Ben-David led the way with 20 points and nine rebounds, while guard Michal Epstein added 17 points and six assists. Center Noa Zelikovich dominated the paint with 14 points, 12 rebounds, and four blocks.

For Maccabi Raanana, Lior Halevi scored a team-high 18 points, and Tamar Avraham contributed 14 points and seven rebounds. Despite the loss, the home side showed flashes of brilliance, particularly in transition, but they were undone by a cold shooting night from beyond the arc (6-of-24).

Season Impact

With the win, Bnei Yehuda (W) moves up the Israel Women's Premier League standings and signals their intent to challenge for a top-four finish. Maccabi Ironi Ramat Gan Maccabi Raanana Women will need to regroup quickly, as they face a tough road trip next week. The loss highlights the need for more consistent perimeter shooting and better ball security against aggressive defenses.