Hapoel Jerusalem left the Volkswagen Arena in Istanbul last night with a great away victory 69:92 over Drushpaka and qualified for the last 16 in the FIBA Champions League for the first time since the 19/20 season from first place at home, with another convincing away victory, the third in a row.
After a tight first quarter, the Reds led by Zach Hankins (18 points), Levi Randolph (17 points) and Kadin Carrington (17 points) opened fire and with a dominant second quarter of 17:29 to her credit, she took a double digit lead and knew how to close the deal long before the buzzer, when the Red Trio Added to 52 of the team's 92 total points.
"A victory is a victory and to finish in the lead of the house was very important for us and will allow us a few weeks of rest from the factory, time we need to connect", noted Aleksandar Džikić at the end.
"We are still looking for an Israeli player and this is a very important piece for us in the puzzle. At the beginning of the season many people doubted our ability and doubted us so I am proud that we finished where we did."
Dzikic.
Yesterday, photo: FIBA
The two teams met in the factory's opening round of the season about two and a half months ago, when the game ended with a difference of only two points for the Reds.
Last night the story was much simpler and showed the improvement the Jerusalemites went through during this period.
Sim Sander Vena, who recorded a wonderful game with 12 points and 4 three-pointers, shared his feelings at the end: "Every victory is important and significant, especially an away victory. Finishing at home in first place was a significant thing for us and we accomplished the task. We gave 27 assists and it was a team effort. Even Sometimes there's no telling how a game will develop, especially an away game, but we just knew how to execute our game plan. We believe in ourselves and I have full confidence in what we're capable of doing."
Zach Hankins, who recorded his seventh straight factory game with double-digit points total (the longest active factory streak), led four red scorers in double figures, as the Jerusalem offense dished out 27 assists (tied for second this season for a factory game) and hit 11 three-pointers at a 42.3% shooting percentage, leading for a season high in scoring with 92 points.
Now the Jerusalemites will get a slight respite from the European arena when, in the second group stage, which will begin on January 24, Aleksandar Džikić's team will face Strasbourg of France and two teams that will advance from the play-in series: the winner between Hapoel Holon and Igokaa or Bachchashir and the winner between Diez One of the people of Herzliya, Ritas Vilna or Priestri, when the scenario for a home with three Israeli teams together is more realistic than ever.
The four teams at home will play six rounds, at the end of which the first two will advance to the quarter-final stage, which will be held in a best-of-three series series.
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