By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Hapoel Holon needed a hero in the elimination showdown against Filou Oostende, and Justin Smith took up the mantle.
The US forward led the Israeli team to a 78-72 win over the Belgian side with 28 points and nine rebounds, securing a spot in the Basketball Champions League Round of 16.
Hapoel Holon, therefore, completed Group L of the next phase alongside AEK Betsson, UCAM Murcia, and Promitheas Patras.
Smith dominated, shooting 12/14 from two and 4/6 from the free-throw line, ending the match with a Player Impact Rating (PIR) of 38—an exceptional performance in the crucial BCL Play-Ins game.
C.J. Harris followed with 16 points and eight assists, while Deondre Burns added 10 points as the only other Hapoel Holon player finishing in double figures.
Damien Jefferson put up a good fight for the hosts, scoring 23 points for Oostende, but only Khalil Ahmad and Pierre-Antoine Gillet followed suit with 13 points each.
Postgame press conference
Photo: fiba.basketball