The fifth week in the Israeli Basketball Super League did not bring good news for the clubs competing in the EuroCup.

Ironi Nahariya saw their perfect record disappear with a road loss to powerhouse Maccabi Tel Aviv, while Rishon LeZion lost at home, for the first time this season, to Ironi Ramat Gan.

Nahariya kept Maccabi at bay in the first half before watching the champions take off for an 87-73 win.

Will Bynum carried Maccabi to an early lead but at the end of the first quarter his side only held a 29-24 advantage.

However, Nahariya hit back to lead 45-44 at half-time.

It wasn't enough though as Maccabi improved after the break to claim the victory.

"The key for the win was our big improvement in defense in the third quarter," said Maccabi coach Neven Spahija.

"We didn't play good defense in the first half and it showed."

Nikola Vujcic came close to another triple-double with 17 points, nine assists and seven rebounds and got some rest in the closing minutes as Maccabi secured their win.

"It's tough to contain Maccabi for 40 minutes. It's a very strong team," said Ido Kozikaro after the game.

"Nikola Vujcic is a great person and a great player. A team who has him is blessed."

Derrick Sharp was the leading scorer with 17 points, Vujcic and Bynum netted 16 each while Jamie Arnold added 11. Raviv Limonad led the way for the visitors with 17, Barak Peleg added 11 and Kozikaro finished with 10 points.

Ironi Ramat Gan started the season with three losses in a row, but have enjoyed an upturn in fortunes after changing coaches. Last week they won in overtime, and this week new boss Avner Yoar led his team to a 74-68 road win at Rishon.

Ramat Gan started well but by the end of the first quarter Rishon held a narrow 15-14 advantage. The to and fro nature of the game continued in the second quarter as the lead changed hands before Rishon had the final word and finished the half 35-32 ahead.

Rishon made an 11-2 run in the third to make it 56-47 after three quarters, but Ramat Gan made the final comeback. A huge 27-12 swing made the difference, as Rishon saw their unbeaten home record destroyed.

Brian Tolbert led Rishon with 20 points and James Williams had 14. Jai Lewis scored 20 for Ramat Gan.

In other games, Ed Cota scored a fadeaway buzzer-beater to give Hapoel Jerusalem a 97-96 home win over Givat Shmuel, Afula/Gilboa shocked Galil on  the road 87-86 and Ironi Ashkelon earned a surprise 81-79 away win over Bnei Hasharon.