By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Launching his second stint at Hapoel U-NET Holon, Tyrus McGee was brilliant after the break sending his side to the 69-51 victory opposite MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg Wednesday night.
McGee, 30, scored 12 out of his 19 points in the third quarter of the Basketball Champions League Round of 16 Gameday 3 matchup. He added five more points in the last ten minutes as the Israeli outlet pulled away to improve to 1-1 in Group I.
Dayton alumnus and former NBA player Chris Johnson contributing 12 points delighted the home crowd at Toto Holon Hall. Joe Ragland posted a 10-point, 14-assist double-double en route for the game-high 23 efficiency rating. Michale Kyser did not score but put in eight rebounds, five blocks, two assists, and one steal. Hayden Dalton and Niv Misgav were sidelined.
Shots were not falling for both teams at Holon, especially in the first half. Limiting the BCL-leaders in second-chance points to 13 points, most in garbage time, became an additional key for the team coached by Guy Goodes, currently sitting at 8-6 in the domestic Winner League.
The team coached by John Patrick, ruling out injured Jordan Hulls, was held to 5/30 three-pointers and 26.8% accuracy in field goals. It was close in the low-scoring affair though before McGee took over. Justin Simon recorded a team-high 17 points and Ethan Happ followed with 12 points as Ludwigsburg dropped to 1-1 after four wins in a row across all competitions, including going up to 13-6 in Germany’s easyCredit BBL.
Postgame press conference:
Photo Credit: Basketball Champions League