By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
U-BT Cluj Napoca was the last team standing after an epic double-overtime battle, to defeat previously intact Hapoel U-Net Holon 106-101 at home.
Andrija Stipanovic signed off with a season-high performance of 29 points and 7 rebounds and his resilient efforts kept Cluj Napoca alive in the extra 10 minutes.
Guy Pnini looked to be the man of the hour twice in the same game for the visitors – first near the end of regulation with two big threes (even though Patrick Richard had the final say with a massive three of his own to send the game to overtime), then once again with another three and 10 seconds to play in OT1. The story repeated at the end, as Richard was there once again to protect the hosts, while he finished the game with 17 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists.
Brandon Brown posted 20 points and 8 assists for Cluj, Elijah Steward had 14 and Dustin Hogue added 12 points.
Captain Pnini couldn’t help Holon keep its perfect streak despite his efforts at the end of the second overtime and exited the game with 13 points.
Niv Misgav led all scorers for the Israeli sid with 19 points, followed by Fred Bourdillion’s 19-point performance. Michale Kyser posted 15, Chris Johnson picked up 14 points and Rafael Menco added up to the list of top scorers with 12 points.
This also marked the fourth contest that was decided in OT this season, following Besiktas – Rytas (double OT), Lavrio – Nizhny Novgorod, and Kalev/Cramo – Oostende.
Watch the post-game press conference below:
Photo: Basketball Champions League