A devastating second-half collapse, featuring a staggering 60-20 run, sealed the fate of Baxi Manresa in Jerusalem, despite promising stretches from the Catalan side (105-69). The game took place in Israel after the Euroleague lifted its ban on hosting matches there due to the conflict in the Gaza Strip. Hapoel Jerusalem took control early, powered by sharp shooting from Khadden Carrington from mid and long range (13-8, min.5).
Hapoel Jerusalem (23+22+27+33): Harper (14), Carrington (15), Zoosman (14), Wiley (13), Levi (3) – starting five; Smith (15), Winston (20), Huber (3), Lamb (8), Mobley (-).
Baxi Manresa (22+27+8+12): Obasohan (7), Brooks (5), Reyes (13), Steinbergs (-), Golden (5) – starting five; Akobundu (3), Bassas (6), Ubal (11), Knudsen (2), Oriola (14), Fernández (3).
Referees: Ilija Belosevic, Marcin Kowalski, Franko Grazin. No ejections.
Attendance: Matchday 12 of the Eurocup basketball competition, held at Pais Arena.
Gradually, Baxi Manresa found their rhythm, largely thanks to Pierre Oriola’s impact off the bench, but the Israelis maintained their accuracy (22-15, min.8). The power forward from Lleida continued his hot streak, leaving the score tight at 23-22 after the first quarter. However, Hapoel rebounded with offensive brilliance, this time led by young Yovel Zoosman, to reopen a small gap at Pais Arena (30-25, min.13).
Just when the hosts seemed comfortable, Baxi Manresa woke up from beyond the arc through Álex Reyes, taking their first lead of the game (37-40, min.17). The Manresa side kept up the pressure, and a triple from Ferran Bassas sent them into halftime with a 45-49 advantage. After the break, the game tightened, and Carrington once again became the focal point for the Israelis, preventing Baxi Manresa from pulling away (53-53, min.24).
From that point, Hapoel Jerusalem erupted like a volcano, with Cassius Winston’s accurate shooting pushing the lead to a double-digit margin (66-55, min.28). And it was only the beginning: the Hebrew side went on a dominant run, ending the third quarter at 72-57, making things extremely difficult for Diego Ocampo’s squad. In the final ten minutes, the Israelis extended their lead thanks to Zoosman’s continued success, sealing the game with six minutes left (85-62, min.34).
The closing stretch was pure formality, and Baxi Manresa ultimately fell to a crushing 105-69 defeat on Hapoel Jerusalem’s home court.
