By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Powered by Joe Ragland, Hapoel U-NET Holon edged Darussafaka, 64-57, Wednesday.
The experienced guard tallied a game-high 15 points to go along with six assists, four rebounds, and three steals. Steve Zack posted a 12-point, 11-rebound double-double in the low-scoring Basketball Champions League Regular Season Gameday 5 contest. Point guard Niv Misgav remained sidelined.
Three days after jumping to 6-3 in Israel’s Winner League thanks to a late push versus Hapoel Nofar Energy Galil Elion, Holon endured another challenging situation trailing for most of the first half in the key Champions League matchup. Outscoring its opponents, 22-13, in the third quarter included an eight-point cushion, but the game was not beyond doubt until the final minute.
The hard-fought win improved the team coached by Maurizio Buscaglia to 3-2 in Group G. A home win against Happy Casa Brindisi paired with the Turkish side beating U-BT Cluj Napoca will mean top seed and a spot in the Round of 16, while any other combination will send the Israeli club to a best-of-three Play-In series in January.
Nathan Boothe recorded 12 points and six rebounds being instrumental as his side hang on until he was called for a fifth foul at Holon Toto Hall. Troy Caupain also put up 12 points. After undergoing surgery, youngster Doruk Dora missed the trip to Holon.
The team guided by Selcuk Ernak, also 8-3 in Turkey’s BSL, was forced down to 2-3 in the BCL Regular Season. It will clinch a berth to the Play-Ins prevailing in Romania next Wednesday or if Holon takes down Brindisi. Directly qualifying to the Round of 16 got out of reach.
Postgame press conference:
Photo Credit: Basketball Champions League