Israeli side Hapoel Jerusalem achieved a 77-65 home win over the country’s champions Hapoel Holon in the round of 16 of the FIBA Basketball Champions League on Tuesday evening.
It was Jerusalem’s third win in the 4-team Group I, while Holon remained winless from 4 games.
Assists by Levi Randolph and points by Brandon Bown helped the hosts lead 24-13 in the first quarter of the game at the Pais Arena in Jerusalem.
Zach Hankins inspired Jerusalem to increase the lead to 35-16 in the 14th minute, but a defensive and offensive contribution by Hayden Dalton helped Holon cut the margin to 38-41 at halftime.
Strong defense and 3-pointers increased Jerusalem’s lead to 63-49 at the end of the third quarter and then five blocks by Jerusalem in the last quarter, along with points by Speedy Smith, secured the home win.
Smith scored a game-high 26 points, while Randolph added 13. Hankins contributed 11 points and 10 rebounds for Jerusalem. Shawn Dawson scored 20 points for Holon.
The other two teams in the group, France’s SIG Strasbourg and JDA Dijon, each with a 2-1 win-loss record, will meet on Wednesday in Strasbourg.
On gameday 5, Dijon will host Jerusalem on March 14, while Holon will play against Strasbourg the following evening.
The teams that finish first and second in the group after gameday 6 will qualify for the quarterfinals. ■
