By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Hapoel Jerusalem played a tough game against Darussafaka but found a way to beat Selçuk Ernak’s side 69-67 in front of a packed Pais Arena in Jerusalem.
Khadeen Carrington, who scored 12+ points in eight of his 10 BCL games last season with JDA Dijon, started his chapter with Hapoel in the best way possible, closing with 17 crucial points to help his team get the win. Levi Randolph and Zach Hankins, the other two newcomers, respectively contributed with 13 and 10 points, with the American center adding 9 rebounds as well.
British international Gabriel Olaseni played great and ended with a 14 points and 5 rebounds performance, while Markel Starks, who was one of three players averaging more than 12 points and more than 6 assists in the BCL last season with Igokea, produced a disappointing performance: only 8 points with 0/4 from three, including the decisive shot on the final buzzer.
The hosts started slowly in the first quarter, with Darussafaka getting an important 10 points lead after ten minutes on the court. However, Aleksandar Dzikic’s team fought back, getting the first lead in the fourth quarter with a three-pointer by Oz Blayzer, who was determinant on defense as well in the last possessions of the game.
The guests lacked some consistency from the arc, shooting only 4/19 from three-point range, and couldn’t leave Israel with a win.
Waiting for the interesting matchup between Dakken Bears and Ludwigsburg (04/10, 20:00 CET), Group E now sees Hapoel Jerusalem on top, while Darussafaka starts its BCL season with a 0-1 record.
PHOTO CREDIT: Basketball Champions League