Ironi Ness Ziona went on a 29-15 run in the third quarter to secure a 97-78 win over Tartu Ulikool Maks&Moorits and a ticket to the 2023 ENBL playoffs on Wednesday, February 1, at the Vidzeme Olympic Center in northern Latvia.
Players of the game
Ironi Ness Ziona decided its fate in the tournament not relying on others.
One of the best shooting teams shined on offense again.
C.J.Williams led the Orange Pack with 25 points on 9-of-17 shooting from the field, including a spicy 4-of-8 from the three point line.
NC State standout added four rebounds, four assists and two steals.
Jerome Meyinsse contributed with 19 points.
A Virginia Cavalier from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, blocked three shots.
Golan Gutt added a nice touch with 15 points on 5-of-8 shooting from the court.
He made three three-pointers.
Patrik Saal had a perfect shooting night for Tartu Ulikool.
Power forward connected 5-of-5 field goal attempts to finish with a team high 16 points.
Andrii Voinalovych had 12 points.
Key stats
Ironi Ness Ziona won the first half by a single possession, 46-43.
The Orange Pack rallied in the third quarter to extend the lead up to 17 points, 75-58.
Both teams shot the ball well but Ironi Ness Ziona was better in transition.
The Israeli team had more steals, 13-5, and more points on fast breaks, 10-3.
Ironi Ness Ziona also scored more points in the paint, 36-22.
Game notes
Ironi Ness Ziona became the fifth team to qualify for the 2023 ENBL playoffs and the second team from the Group B.
The company includes three Polish clubs (King Szczecin, Polski Cukier Start Lublin, Zastal Zielona Gora) and Budivelnyk Kyiv from Ukraine (currently based in Italy).
Tartu Ulikool signed off with two wins in seven games.
The other three teams from the Pafbet Estonia and Latvia league – Kalev Cramo, TalTech Optibet and Valmiera Glass ViA – were eliminated earlier.
Šiauliai is the only team from the 2022 Final Four which is still alive.
LIVE STATS
Wednesday, February 1
Tartu Ülikool Maks&Moorits 78–97 Ironi Ness Ziona
Valmiera Glass ViA – King Szczecin
Basket Brno – BC Wolves
BM Stal Ostrow – Trefl Sopot
STANDINGS, as of February 1, 2023
Group A
Budivelnyk Kyiv 4-0 (+56) Qualified
Polski Cukier Start Lublin 4-1 (+44) Qualified
Zastal Zielona Gora 4-2 (+10) Qualified
Kalev/Cramo 2-4 (+19)
KB Sigal Prishtina 2-4 (-34)
Šiauliai 2-3 (-24)
TalTech Optibet 1-5 (-71)
Tie-breaker (1): Kalev/Cramo 1-1, +6; Sigal Prishtina 1-1, +3; Zastal Zielona Gora 1-1, -9.
Tie-breaker (2): Sigal Prishtina 1-1, +13; Kalev/Cramo 1-1, +3; Šiauliai 1-1, -16.
Tie-breaker (3): Sigal Prishtina 2-0, +38; Zielona Gora 0-1, -14; Šiauliai 0-1, -24.
STANDINGS, as of February 1, 2023
Group B
King Szczecin 6-0 (+54) Qualified
Stal Ostrow 5-2 (+76) Qualified
Ironi Ness Ziona 5-2 (+60) Qualified
Trefl Sopot 4-3 (+18)
BC Wolves 4-2 (+38)
Tartu University 2-5 (-16)
Basket Brno 1-6 (-61)
Valmiera Glass VIA 0-7 (-169)
Tie-breaker (1): Ironi Ness Ziona 1-0, +8; Trefl Sopot 0-1, -8.
Tie-breaker (2): Trefl Sopot 1-0, +4; Tartu 0-1, -4.
Tie-breaker (3): BM Stal Ostrow 1-0, +16; Ironi Ness Ziona 1-1, -8; Trefl Sopot 0-1, -8.
Tie-breaker (4): BM Stal Ostrow 1-0, +16; Ironi Ness Ziona 0-1, -16.