Jerusalem registers its largest win in more than 18 years
Harper, Jerusalem play and think long term as they blow out Reyer
Izveštaji utakmica
3 Min čitanja
Regular Season
Round 9 of 18
Regular Season
group a
Hapoel Midtown JerusalemJLM
9866
Umana Reyer VeniceURV
group a
Overview
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Hapoel Midtown Jerusalem bid farewell to Belgrade’s Hala Sportova Ranko Zeravica in style. The Israeli club, which is slated to become the first team from Israel to play an international game on home soil next week, blew past Umana Reyer Venice 98-66 on Thursday night to keep up with Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana and in a share of the best record in Group A, 7-2.
It was Jerusalem’s sixth consecutive win, and it seemed there was never a doubt about the outcome of this one.
Jerusalem opened the game with a 14-2 run behind 3 triples from Khadeen Carrington, Yovel Zoosman added a pair of long-range shots and never lost control of the game. Reyer came within 5 points once in the first quarter, but spent majority of the night in a double-digit deficit.
Jerusalem led by 21 at the break, as Reyer needed 24 minutes of the game to hit its first three-point shot. The lead was as big as 35 points in the final stanza, and Jerusalem used six scorers in double figures to register only its second win of 30 or more points in the EuroCup, and its largest in more than 18 years - since November 2007.
“I feel like we are in a great rhythm as a team”, said Jared Harper, last season’s EuroCup MVP, who had 18 points and 9 assists in this one.
“We are playing really good, and just have to look to continue do those things and in the second half of the [regular season] to make a good push to have a great position heading to the playoffs.”
It’s nine games to go in the regular season, and anything can happen, but Harper and his teammates obviously are thinking long term. And that already includes, yes, the EuroCup Playoffs which do not start until March.
“It’s a process”, Harper said. “We understand the goals we want to have for the end of the season. You cannot take any game for granted, we have to come in give our best effort every game so we are ready for the moments later on in the season. I feel like we did a really good job of that tonight.”
Make no mistake, however, Jerusalem head coach Yonatan Alon has the feet of his team firmly placed on the floor.
“We did a good job, I am really proud and happy the way we played. But it is only a game of the season. We shouldn’t be that happy for ourselves. Be modest, and keep working hard.”
