Maccabi Ashdod claimed a narrow victory over Hapoel Ramat Gan in the League Cup on Monday evening, closing out an 89-84 win after a tight contest. The result came as a surprise given the visitors' recent struggles, but they managed to hold their nerve when it mattered most. Both sides traded blows throughout, with neither able to build a substantial lead.
The hosts started brightly enough, finding their range from beyond the arc and hitting 13 three-pointers compared to the visitors' nine. But it was the free-throw line where the difference emerged — Ashdod converted 22 of their 26 attempts, while Ramat Gan could only manage 11 from 14. Those extra points made all the difference in what was a game decided by five.
Rebounding was fairly even at 27 to 30, but the visitors' advantage on the offensive glass — eight to five — meant they got more second chances. Turnovers were minimal on both sides, with Ramat Gan committing 12 and Ashdod just 11. The hosts also drew 22 personal fouls to their opponents' 16, which contributed to their poor free-throw performance.
For Ramat Gan, who sit fourth in the table with just one win from three games, this extends a run of three straight defeats. They had lost 80-83 to Hapoel Holon, then 82-99 to Hapoel Galil Elyon, and were beaten 75-77 by Hapoel HaEmek before this outing. The visitors arrive with similar concerns, having lost their last three matches including a heavy 77-110 defeat to Hapoel Jerusalem.
The League Cup provides an opportunity for both clubs to find their rhythm, but neither side looked particularly sharp. Ashdod's ability to get to the line and convert proved decisive, while Ramat Gan's three-point shooting wasn't enough to overcome their shortcomings at the free-throw line. The gap between the teams remains tight, and this result does little to separate them in the standings.
