Hapoel Migdal Jerusalem is Israeli champion

Hapoel Migdal Jerusalem sits atop Israeli Basketball for the first time in its history after outgunning Hapoel Fattal Eilat to win the Premier League title. The club cruised to the title with a 68-88 road win in Game 2 of the two leg finanls series to brush past Eilat to make history.

Eilat was the club that downed Israeli powerhouse Maccabi Tel Aviv in the semi-final to shock hoops fans across Europe, but the club could not repeat that success in the championship run. In success, Hapoel Migdal Jerusalem becomes just the sixth club to win the Premier League (Winner League), highlighting just what a hold 51 times winner Maccabi Tel Aviv has held over the competition.

Game 2 proved to be an exciting contest, truly a game of two halves. Eilat opened strong and quickly took the lead and built on it to hold a 26-20 advantage at the first split. In the second quarter the hosts continued to control the pace and used an 18-16 run to ensure a healthy 44-36 lead through the long break. Hapoel Jerusalem was reeling and losing by eight points through halftime, but the visitors put together a championship winning second half. The comeback started in the third quarter as the guests nailed 27 points and stopped Hapoel Eilat at 10 points to retake the lead, 54-63 through thirty minutes. The Jerusalem club went big again in the fourth act with a 14-25 run that ensured the title.

An unselfish Hapoel Jerusalem attack saw the team dish out 26 assists on the night, with plenty of high scorers on the roster. Donta Smith had a double-double of 20 points and 10 rebounds, while 20 points for Bracey Wright was enough for him to win the finals MVP. Tony Gaffney added 11 points and 7 boards to the winning cause, while Lior Eliyahu offered 10 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists.

Adrian Uter also grabbed a double-double as he claimed 17 points and 11 caroms in the losing effort. Khaliff Wyatt and Amit Simhon both struck 12 apiece for Hapoel Eilat.