By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Hapoel Jerusalem needed an away win over already eliminated Dijon and at the same time, Antwerp Giants to beat defending champion AEK Athens, in order to grab the top spot in Basketball Champions League’s Group C.
While Hapoel defeated Dijon 85 – 83, AEK got a close victory over the Giants and thus was the one to grab the first seed. The team from Jerusalem finished with the same record with the Greek side (12-2) but the tiebreaker belonged to the champs.
James Feldeine scored 18 points, Ta’ Shawn Thomas 14 and J’ Covan Brown 13 for Hapoel. Da’Sean Butler added 12 points and Amare Stoudemire 10.
David Holston dropped 20 points and dished out five assists for Dijon while Ryan Pearson pitched in 15.
Dijon was up 76 – 75 in the match in the mid of the fourth period but consecutive buckets by Brown gave Hapoel a lead. The French team remained persistent and could’ve forced overtime but Axel Julien missed the game-tying attempt in the end.
Photo: Basketball Champions League