The Israeli side were dominant on the glass, grabbing 25 offensive boards
Jerusalem pulls away in fourth against pesky Hamburg, 89-74
Game Report
3 Mins read
Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem picked up its second straight victory in Group B as it defeated Veolia Towers Hamburg 89-74 in Samokov, Bulgaria, on Wednesday night. The game was closer than the final result indicated as Hamburg fought tough until the Israeli side put the game away with a 19-5 fourth quarter run for a 2-1 record. Hamburg, meanwhile, is still looking for its first win at 0-3.
Jared Harper led the way with 19 points and 6 assists, Yovel Zoosman scored 14 points, Austin Wiley picked up 12 points and 17 rebounds, and Speedy Smith added 10 points and 5 assists. Jerusalem grabbed 25 offensive rebounds to set a new club record. Hamburg’s Jaizec Lottie tallied 16 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists in the defeat. The visitors gave up just 89 points after its opponents had averaged 102.5 points in the first two games.
Jerusalem started the game with the first 8 points, including two three-pointers with Hamburg needing two minutes before it could score – hitting a triple of its own. Five points from Kenneth Ogbe pulled Hamburg to within 10-8. The home side pulled ahead 16-10 and was leading 21-18 after 10 minutes.
The hosts were missing shots but getting offensive rebounds, and they scored the first 8 points of the second quarter to lead 29-18. Hamburg did not make it to the scoreboard for more than three minutes. Jordan Barnett hit two three-pointers and Camron Reece had two baskets as Hamburg trimmed the margin to 39-36. Jerusalem weathered the storm and led 46-37 at the break.
Hamburg once again struggled out of the gates to start the quarter and Jerusalem increased the lead to 13 points, 50-37, with the first four points of the second half. Hamburg didn’t score until more than three minutes had been played, as it got three-pointers from Brae Ivey and Lottie to trim it to 50-43. Lottie added another triple and the deficit was just 58-54, with Jerusalem’s lead being 59-54 after 30 minutes.
Early in the final frame, Barnett buried a triple for Hamburg and the hosts were within 61-57. Jerusalem responded and put the game to bed with a 19-5 run thanks to Yovel Zoosman hitting two three-pointers and converting a three-point play to make it 80-62 with under five minutes to play. Hamburg could not get closer than 12 points the rest of the way.
