Ireland were defeated 93-86 by Israel in their EuroBasket 2027 qualifier in Riga but only after over-time in a tense and competitive contest.
Ireland had lost both their previous encounters with Israel by a combined 59 points in the last Euro Basket campaign and this was a much more impressive performance.
Given the recent history between the sides, there was plenty of focus on the pre-match build-up which passed without incident, with both side shaking hands.
Ireland led 23-21 after the first quarter and by 38-37 at half time but needed a Sarah Hickey basket with 2 seconds remaining in ordinary time to send the match to overtime with the score at 77-all.
Israel though stepped up the tempo and accuracy in added time building a nine point lead with a minute to go and there was no way back for Ireland.
Sarah Hickey top scored on 17 points for Ireland, who had to play without one of their professionals Claire Melia, who had to return to her Spanish club Baxi Ferriol after last Saturday's win over Bosnia Herzegovina.
Speaking after the game Ireland head coach, James Weldon, said: "I am immensely proud of the team, it was a very frustrating loss in the end, but I suppose we're at day 10 of the window and to go overtime and be that close to a team that much higher than us in the world rankings, you can only praise the players for the massive effort they put in."
Elsewhere in the group Bosnia and Herzegovina were beaten heavily by Luxembourg, going down 75-39.
Bosnia and Herzegovina are the top seeded team in the group but currently sit bottom of the group with Israel leading on six points from Luxembourg on five and Ireland third on four.
The final three matches in Group A take place next March with Ireland still very much in a position to progress in the competition.
