Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem edges Group F leader Galatasaray
Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem held on late to edge Group F leader Galatasaray Odeabank Istanbul 86-82 at Pais Arena Jerusalem and keep its Last 32 hopes alive. Jerusalem improved to 3-5 and sits in fifth place in the group, though it hosts fourth place AEK next week. Galatasaray, which had already clinched a Last 32 spot, fell to 6-2, but holds a one-win lead over the next-closest teams in the standings. The game was close throughout and tied after 10 minutes and at halftime. Jerusalem’s biggest lead was 8 in the third quarter, but the visitors came back to tie it early in the fourth. The game came down to the final minute and the teams traded points until missed free throws by Galatasaray scorer Errick McCollum created space for Jerusalem and E.J. Rowland made it a two-possession game from the line. Rowland finished with 21 points and 6 assists for the winners, while Josh Duncan added 17 points, Matt Janning scored 13 and Donta Smith amassed 14 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists and 5 steals. McCollum finished with 18 points, Joey Dorsey added 16 points and 12 rebounds, Blake Schilb scored 14, Vladimir Micov 11 and Caleb Green 10.
The game was close from the start as the teams traded baskets. Safak Edge’s triple put Galatasaray up 4-5. The hosts rode three baskets by D’Or Fischer to the lead, but three-pointers from Schilb and Micov put the visitors back ahead, 10-11. Edge and Micov each knocked down another three. After Janning tied it and Smith’s put-back put Jerusalem ahead, McCollum’s first points – in the form of free throws – tied it at 19-19 after 10 minutes. McCollum’s three-point play and Green’s block and layup highlighted a 0-7 Galatasaray run. Rowland’s basket-and-foul and a Janning three helped Jerusalem regain the lead, 29-28. Janning hit another three and Duncan did the same, but a pair of McCollum threes tied it at the break, 43-43.
Rowland and Micov traded threes early in the second half. Stephane Lasme tied it at 49-49, but a balanced Jerusalem attack saw the hosts pull ahead. Smith’s steal and layup gave Jerusalem a 62-54 lead, but a minute later Schilb’s triple had Galatasaray back within 2. Bar Timor scored twice in the final minute of the third quarter to help Jerusalem to a 68-64 advantage. Baskets by Schilb and Dorsey to start the fourth quarter tied it, but a Janning triple and Rowland’s steal and score started a 7-0 Jerusalem run. However Galatasaray kept it close and Dorsey’s put-back made it 79-76 with four minutes to go. Green netted to cut the gap to 1 with two minutes remaining. Free throws by Smith and Duncan kept the hosts in front, though Dorsey and McCollum kept Galatasaray close. Rowland’s runner fell in with 29 seconds left to make it 85-82. McCollum missed twice from the line with 18.9 seconds to go and Rowland made it a two-possession game when he split free throws with 12.8 seconds on the clock. After a timeout, Green missed a three and Rowland gathered the rebound and dribbled the clock out to seal the win.
Tuesday, December 1, 2015
Eurocupbasketball.com