Hapoel Jerusalem continued its perfect start to the EuroCup season with an impressive 91-77 comeback victory over Derthona, as six players scored in double figures to help the Reds secure another win. After falling behind by as many as 11 points early in the contest, Sasa Obradovic’s squad gradually worked its way back into the game before taking control down the stretch, outscoring the hosts 22-9 in the fourth quarter to seal the victory.

Kenny Lofton Jr. led Jerusalem with 17 points, while Shake Milton and Devante Cacok added 14 points apiece. Yovel Zoosman, Lorenzo Brown and Jaleen Smith also made important contributions as the Reds improved their EuroCup record. For Derthona, Dante Maddox Jr. and Giordano Bortolani paced the offense with 15 points apiece.

Derthona came out firing, with Prentiss Hubb, Justin Gorham and Maddox combining to give the hosts an early 11-0 advantage midway through the opening quarter. However, Cacok, Milton and Lofton quickly helped Jerusalem respond, as the visitors erased the deficit and pulled even at 25-25 after the first ten minutes.

The Reds continued to build momentum in the second quarter, with Lofton finding his rhythm offensively. Bortolani answered for Derthona, while Zoosman and Brown chipped in with baskets of their own. Christian Vital helped the hosts maintain their advantage, however, as Derthona carried a narrow 50-48 lead into halftime.

Maddox and Lofton traded baskets to open the second half before Brown made his presence felt both inside and from the perimeter. Nimrod Levi knocked down a pair of three-pointers to help Obradovic’s squad move in front, but Bortolani and Gorham responded to keep the contest tight. A Cacok basket gave Jerusalem a slim 69-68 lead heading into the final quarter.

The Reds took over from there. Zoosman, Brown and Milton all found the basket, while Jaleen Smith connected from downtown and David Roddy added to the scoring as Jerusalem pulled away. The visitors held Derthona to just nine points in the fourth quarter to complete the 91-77 victory and maintain their unbeaten record in EuroCup play.

Following the win, Jerusalem Head Coach Sasa Obradovic discussed his team’s performance and the importance of its second-half effort.

“I am pleased and happy with the win. I knew it wasn’t going to be easy, but in the second half we dominated the game and got some open shots. Defensively, we played well and won with character, as everyone on the court contributed to the victory.

“As for playing Yovel Zoosman for the entire second half, that’s scary for me, and in the long term, it’s not good. But he was one of the factors behind why we won the game. I am happy for him, but playing an entire half is too long.”

Zoosman also reflected on the comeback, pointing to Jerusalem’s improved defensive intensity after the break.

“The third quarter was close, but we really raised our defensive level, which we didn’t do in the first half. We also scored some very tough baskets in what was a difficult game. After starting in an 11-0 hole, we were able to turn things around and get the win.

“As for playing the entire second half, I will do everything the coaches ask of me. At the end of the day, when good things happen, you don’t think about exhaustion as time goes by. You just think about winning the game.”

Milton was also pleased to leave with the victory but acknowledged that Jerusalem still has areas to improve.

“We are happy we got the win, but we didn’t come out and play the way we wanted to. We need to clean up some things defensively, but we came out here, got the win and can now come home with it.”