By Stefan Acevski/ info@eurohoops.net
Joventut claimed victory in the fifth round of the BCL group stage, defeating Hapoel Holon at home 97-95 after overtime.
Most of the game saw Joventut in the lead, but the visitors came back, turned things in their favor, and nearly won in regulation.
Cameron Hunt hit a three-pointer to tie the game (81-81), then the Israelis lost the ball. Hunt had a chance to win the game in the final seconds but missed, though it did not cost Joventut—the hosts ultimately celebrated after the extra period.
Despite being up 95-89 with 20 seconds left, Joventut saw Lior Carreira hit two straight threes to tie the game. With three seconds remaining, after a timeout, Hunt scored the game-winner at the buzzer for the Spanish side.
Cameron Hunt finished with 20 points for Joventut, five more than Ricky Rubio, who came alive in the closing minutes, scoring many key points and also adding seven assists. On the other side, Derrick Walton led the scoring with 24 points, while Jordan McRae added 18.
With this win, Joventut secured first place in Group C, heading into the final game against Cholet with a 5-0 record. Hapoel Holon, now at 2-3, have secured a play-in place and will face Bursaspor away in the last round.
Postgame press conference: