By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Leading for nearly 32 minutes and the advantage peaking at 18 points, Hapoel Holon required a solid finish to hold on against Rio Breogan.
The team coached by Amit Sherf got the win, 84-79, behind closed doors in Arena Riga on Wednesday evening. Connecting 14/23 from beyond the arc with seven players hitting at least one three-pointer was the driving force for the home side in Latvia.
French import Amine Noua registered a team-high 19 points, powering his side to 2-0 in Group F of the Basketball Champions League Regular Season. Wake Forest product C.J. Harris chipped in 15 points, five assists, and three rebounds. Israeli guards Shawn Dawson and Niv Misgav with 12 and 10 points, respectively were the remaining double-digit scorers.
Struggling in Spain’s Liga Endesa with a 2-7 record, the visitors, guided by Croatian tactician Veljko Mrsic, reduced the deficit to shooting distance in the fourth period. However, the comeback bid fell short and resulted in dropping to 1-2 at the continental level.
Serbian Stefan Momirov surpassed his season-high packing 21 points in the losing effort. Lithuanian sharpshooter Matas Jogela was limited to 1/8 triples but followed with 14 points to his name. Spanish floor general Sergi Garcia finished with 12 points.
Signed and registered after the original date of the delayed Gameday 2 contest, 30-year-old guard Nick Johnson was ineligible for Holon. Similarly, Breo’s newcomer and also a former NBA player, Justin Anderson sat out alongside injured Toni Nakic.
Postgame press conference
Photo Credit: Basketball Champions League