By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
In the battle for second spot in Group D, Hapoel Jerusalem defeated Ratiopharm Ulm 69 – 64, completing the Eurocup regular season with five victories, one more than its opponents who march to the Top 16 from the third place.
Despite a rough first half, where it was trailing 38 – 26, the German team came back from the locker rooms transformed, approaching closer and closer until taking a 57 – 62 lead, 4 minutes before the end of the game.
Yet a quick 9 – 0 run by coach Pianigiani’s players and a defensive behavior reminiscent to the one that paced them through the first two periods, restored what was previously theirs for good.
Curtis Jerrells was of all-around help to his team with 20 points, 5 rebounds and 4 steals while Amare Stoudemire registered a double-double by tying his season-high in points with 16 while also grabbing 11 rebounds.
For Ratiopharm Ulm Raymar Morgan had 13 points plus 7 rebounds and Braydon Hobbs 11 along with 6 rebounds and 5 assists.