Hapoel Jerusalem hoped to take advantage of the momentum from the promotion to the next level in the European arena in order to interrupt a streak of two league losses, but last night (Monday) surrendered at home 80:77 to Hapoel Tel Aviv, and recorded a third league loss in a row and first of the season at Hafis Arena.
The Jerusalemites did not enter the game well and presented a weak defense in the first quarter, which allowed the guest to take a 17-point lead after eight minutes, with Adam Ariel celebrating with a season high of 11 points and leading his teammates.
The hosts showed character and reduced the difference to only one point at the end of the fourth quarter, but were unable to complete the turnaround with a dramatic finish due to a penalty miss.
"They were better today. We will wait for the next opportunity to play against them, and hope we win. The problem is that the game is four quarters, but with the way we played in the first we won't achieve anything this season, I don't understand what happened," said Aleksandar Džikić.
"When you let a talented team play - you will concede 28 points in the first quarter because you give them free throws. In the second half, we played differently and after that it was a different game with the same players."
Throughout the match we witnessed a fascinating battle between two of the best foreign centers in the league - Chinano Onuaku on one side and Zach Hankins on the other.
Both interior players appeared for the contest and were very dominant for their team but Onuaku's 18 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists made the difference, as the visitors scored 52 points in the paint compared to 22 for the host.
Sim Sander Vena, who recorded a good game personally and contributed 14 points and 4 rebounds, shared his feelings at the end: "I can't say it's a good feeling that we improved after the first quarter. It's still a loss and it hurts a little more when you're there and you give a lot of energy and at the end you rarely contribute. The first quarter was a disaster and they had a flow that cost us in the first half."
Moments of worry passed on the red bench in the fourth quarter when Levi Randolph hurt his ankle and had to get help in order to get off the field and did not return to play.
The player will be examined later this week to find out the severity of his injury, with estimates speaking of a sprained ankle.
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