By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Playing at Savaria Arena in Hungary, Hapoel Holon grabbed their first win of the season in the Basketball Champions League.
The Israeli side defeated Igokea 92-82, improving to 1-2, while the team from Laktaši fell to 1-2 after winning their opener.
Dakarai Tucker and Idan Zalmanson led the winners with 16 points each, while Marcus Bingham was close to a double-double with 15 points and eight rebounds. Elijah Mitrou-Long followed with 13 points.
On the other side, experienced Dragan Milosavljević stood out with 18 points, Sacar Anim and Bryce Jones added 15 points each, with the latter dishing seven assists. Terrell Carter recorded a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough for the road win.
“It Was Wild Wild West”
Hapoel Netanel Holon’s head coach, Guy Goodes, first spoke about the hospitality in Hungary.
“It took effort, it wasn’t easy, but we worked hard to come back and win our first BCL game, even away from home. We feel very much at home here; it’s comfortable for us to come, and the hospitality of the people in Hungary is very good. We appreciate the situation.”
Talking about the game, he emphasized his team’s defense on Igokea’s three-point shooting in the second half.
“At the beginning, it was like the wild wild west—both teams running, shooting, and scoring, with no defense. One of the keys for us was to defend the three-pointers in the second half. Still, I don’t think we’re at our best right now. Mitrou-Long is still not in shape, but we saw what he can contribute from the bench—pressing the ball and making shots. He was someone we needed in the last two games,” Goodes concluded.
Postgame press conference: