By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem never trailed and mostly enjoyed a safe lead en route to the 77-65 victory against Hapoel Atsmon Holon Tuesday.
Speedy Smith took over with 26 points and 9/15 field goals, including 5/10 from beyond the arc. The Louisiana Tech product logged ten of his points in the fourth quarter of the Basketball Champions League Round of 16 Gameday 4 holding off the visitors.
The team coached by Guy Goodes falling to 0-4 was eliminated from contention with two games remaining in the double-legged round-robin schedule. Coming in to help down the stretch of the 2022-23 season, Manny Harris has yet to become eligible and launch his second stint at Holon and was instead forced to the sidelines along with Frederic Bourdillon.
On the opposite end, the Jerusalem outfit recently crowned Migdal State Cup winner in Israel, went up to 3-1 in Group I with an eighth win in a row across all competitions. Levi Randolph contributed 13 points, Zach Hankins posted an 11-point, 11-rebound double-double, and Brandon Brown had 11 points to extend the streak with massive help from the fans packing the Pais Arena as well. Siim-Sander Vene was not available for the team guided by Aleksandar Dzikic.
For the reigning champions of Israel, currently at 13-6 in the Winner League Regular Season, Shawn Dawson stood out with 20 points. Joe Ragland with 16 points recorded his seventh consecutive Champions League showing with over 12 points to his name.
Postgame press conference
Photo Credit: Basketball Champions League