By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Veteran Guy Pnini connected the game-winning three-pointer for Hapoel U-NET Holon in the 72-70 victory over Besiktas Icrypex Wednesday evening.
Pnini, 38, was scoreless before sinking the clutch three-pointer with 18 seconds remaining in Game 2 of the Basketball Champions League Play-In best-of-three series.
Chris Johnson rocking 18 points powered the team coached by recently-appointed head coach Guy Goodes. The former Dayton standout was successful in 6/12 field goals and grabbed five rebounds as the visitors came back from an early 16-point deficit.
Rafi Menco chipped in 14 points for the team recently parting ways with head coach Maurizio Buscaglia and holding an 8-5 record in Israel’s Winner League. Adam Smith had 11 points. Experienced floor general Joe Ragland combined ten points with nine assists at Akatlar Arena.
The team led by Ahmet Kandemir blew both the 16-point lead and the opportunity to sweep the series to advance to the Round of 16. Kenan Sipahi with a brilliant drive shaped a two-point lead with 28 seconds left but a bad pass following Pnini’s game-winner sealed his side’s fate.
Egehan Arna ended up with a team-high 17 points in the losing effort. Dedric Lawson posted a 13-point, 10-rebound double-double. Ercan Osmani got 12 points. Game 1 hero, Isaiah Whitehead was sidelined. Besiktas was coming off improving to 8-7 in Turkey’s BSL three days ago.
Game 3, projected to be held next week, returns the series to Israel. The winning team will advance to the next round and enter Group I along with MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg, Galatasaray Nef, and JDA Dijon or VEF Riga.
Postgame press conference:
Photo Credit: Basketball Champions League