RISHON LE-ZION, Israel (Interstat) — Hapoel Rishon will look to sweep Elitzur Holon in Game 3 of their women’s basketball playoff series Thursday night at Rishon Le-Zion Arena.

The top-seeded host holds a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five quarterfinal matchup, having dominated both games on the road last week. Hapoel Rishon (19-10) defeated Elitzur Holon 76-55 on April 26 and followed with an 82-60 victory Tuesday. A win Thursday would advance Hapoel Rishon to the semifinals.

Game 3 is scheduled for 7 p.m. local time and will be organized by the Israel Basketball Association.

Romi Elbaz has been the catalyst for Hapoel Rishon’s playoff push. The guard scored 24 points on Tuesday, adding three rebounds, two assists and two blocks in 36 minutes. She also had 13 points, five rebounds and one block in the series opener. Elbaz has averaged 17.3 points over her last six games, including a 17-point outing against Maccabi Bnot on April 23.

Elitzur Holon (14-16) faces elimination after dropping four consecutive games to Hapoel Rishon this season. The teams have met five times overall in 2025-26, with Elitzur Holon winning only the first matchup, 89-71 on Nov. 3. Hapoel Rishon has since won four straight, holding Elitzur Holon to 68 points or fewer in each of the last three meetings.

Forward Tslil Vaturi has been Elitzur Holon’s most consistent performer. In Tuesday’s loss, Vaturi played 39 minutes and recorded 16 points, 16 rebounds and three assists. Over her last seven games, the Swiss forward has averaged 13.7 points and 12.4 rebounds. She posted 21 points and 12 rebounds in an 86-73 win over Maccabi Ironi on April 23, and 17 points and 15 rebounds in a 79-58 victory April 20.

Elitzur Holon will need more help around Vaturi to extend the series. Guards Ayala Oren and Emma Rinat each scored 14 and 16 points Tuesday, but the team shot 36% from the field and committed 14 turnovers.

Hapoel Rishon’s depth has been a factor. Point guard Yaara Yizchaki dished 11 assists Tuesday to go with eight points and six rebounds. Forward Anastasia Boldirva added 14 points and nine rebounds. The team’s bench has outscored Elitzur Holon’s reserves 28-8 over the first two playoff games.

According to Interstat’s ELO system, Hapoel Rishon has an 86.7% probability of winning Game 3. The system projects the home team to prevail based on regular-season performance and recent head-to-head dominance.

Elitzur Holon’s playoff hopes rest on Vaturi’s ability to carry the load and improved outside shooting. The visitors have made just 8 of 33 3-point attempts in the series.

Tipoff is set for Thursday night. A Hapoel Rishon win would close out the series and send the team to the semifinals for the second straight year.