Women’s State Cup Semi-Final Matchups Set

The women’s semi-finals of the State Cup were determined on Thursday evening, marking an exciting continuation of this year’s tournament. In notable performances, Maccabi Ramat Gan secured an impressive away victory against Maccabi Ashdod, while Elitzur Ramla, Hapoel Jerusalem, and Maccabi Haifa triumphed at home to join the fray.

Maccabi Ashdod vs. Maccabi Ramat Gan: 68-85

In a significant upset, Maccabi Ashdod, the defending champions, failed to advance to the semi-finals for the first time since the 2016/17 season, succumbing to Maccabi Ramat Gan. After overcoming a challenging start, Ramat Gan orchestrated two crucial scoring runs, including a 19-3 surge in the second quarter and a 16-3 streak in the third and fourth quarters to seal their victory.

Victoria Viyans was a standout for Ramat Gan, scoring 20 points, while Gili Eisner contributed 19 points. The winning team successfully netted 13 three-pointers with a shooting percentage of 37%. In contrast, Maccabi Ashdod’s bench offered little support, producing only two points throughout the game.

The home team started strong, led by Dor Saar and Stephanie Watts, to a first-quarter lead of 25-18. However, Shiri Tirosh and Gili Eisner led Ramat Gan’s turnaround, giving them a 38-44 edge at halftime. The visitors maintained their momentum, finishing the third quarter ahead 71-60 and extending their lead in the final period, finishing the match with a commanding score of 85-68.

Scoring Breakdown

• Maccabi Ashdod: Stephanie Watts 25, Ksenia Malashka 14, Dor Saar, Maya Silberlag, and Albina Rezhev 9 each, Stasha Keer 2.
• Maccabi Ramat Gan: Victoria Viyans 20, Gili Eisner 19, Imri Thomas 16, Shiri Tirosh 13, Elis Hatoukai 9, Paula Stautman 8.

Elitzur Ramla vs. Hapoel Rishon Lezion: 80-64

Elitzur Ramla advanced to the semi-finals with a convincing victory over Hapoel Rishon Lezion. After a balanced first quarter, Ramla capitalized on a dominant second quarter and maintained their lead into the third period. The home team displayed strong defensive efforts, limiting Rishon Lezion’s scoring and effectively executing their offense, with 8 three-pointers made at a 42% success rate.

Mai Rachav led the scoring with 16 points, and Lior Garzon added 15. The first quarter ended 26-24 in favor of Rishon Lezion, but Ramla’s solid defense allowed them to pull ahead, leading 50-39 at halftime. Rishon Lezion struggled to keep pace throughout the match, including a rough third quarter where they were held to just 5 points.

Scoring Breakdown

• Elitzur Ramla: Mai Rachav 16, Lior Garzon 15, Eden Rotberg 11, Chelsea Nelson and Mikiya Harigan 10 each.
• Hapoel Rishon Lezion: Daisy Ying 21, Anastasiia Boldyreva 12, Eden Zipel and Yaara Yitzhaki 9 each.

Maccabi Haifa vs. Elitzur Holon: 85-66

Maccabi Haifa returned to the semi-finals after a year-long absence, showcasing their strength with a remarkable home win against Elitzur Holon. The game began with both teams shooting well from beyond the arc, but Haifa broke the game open in the second half with strong defense and standout performances, including a triple-double from Shaine Sellers.

Haifa turned a small second-quarter lead into a double-digit advantage, despite losing Olu Diao to injury before halftime. They continued to extend their lead throughout the third quarter, ultimately driving to an 85-66 victory.

Scoring Breakdown

• Maccabi Haifa: Shaine Sellers 24, Betty Monunga 19, Amalia Rambisovska 17.
• Elitzur Holon: Leah Brown 24, Maayan Cohen 15, Shay Kelly and Shakila Joseph 9 each.

Hapoel Jerusalem vs. Bnot Petah Tikva: 83-66

Hapoel Jerusalem’s victory assured their third consecutive semi-final appearance. After a competitive first half, Jerusalem dominated the second half, allowing Petah Tikva to score only 19 points.

Ziomara Morrison was a key player, scoring 26 points, leading her team to a second-half run that solidified their victory. The game initially saw Jerusalem take a narrow 26-21 lead, but they pulled away significantly in the second half.

Scoring Breakdown

• Hapoel Jerusalem: Ziomara Morrison and Destiny Littleton 26 each, Savanna Wilkinson 14.
• Bnot Petah Tikva: Sparkle Taylor 25, Noa Washdi and Pauline Diuvena 7 each.

The semi-finals promise to be an exciting showcase of talent in the women’s basketball league, as these fierce competitors aim for the ultimate prize.