Hapoel Jerusalem defeated Turk Telekom 94-77 as Jared Harper spurred a second half comeback to take the double-digit win and move to 7-2 good for second place just behind 8-0 Valencia who they play next week.

In a game that was a home game for Turk played in Belgrade due to the security situation in Turkey, Yonatan Alon’s squad started off slow as Gaby Chachashvili, Khadeen Carrington and Jared Harper paced the Reds while Braian Angola, Javon Bess and Speedy Smith helped Erdem Can’s team to a 44-39 lead at halftime. However, Harper went off in the second half and took hap, under his wings as he has done numerous times this season to jump in front by the end of the third quarter and then cruise to the win.

Harper scored 35 points, Carrington added 19 points and Chachashvili chipped in with 15 points and 11 rebounds in the victory. Angola scored 15 points, Makoundou put in 14 points and Bess scored 12 points in the loss.

The game MVP Jared Harper talked about the win, “It was a good overall effort from the team and a good game back after the FIBA break in which we competed very well. We had a good second half on both sides of the court and we will get better as we ready for our next game.”

Gaby Chachashvili spoke about the keys to the victory, “This was a very intense game in an arena that we haven’t played in in quite some time, since last year. It was a great game and we controlled the pace and the intensity in the second half and we made the stops. We took the rebounds and everyone played tight defense which is where it all begins which translated into offense and we took the win.”

Javon Bess came out strong for Turk Telekom as Jared Harper and Gaby Chachashvili countered for Hapoel Jerusalem early on but the hosts took a 18-14 lead by the end of the first quarter. Khadeen Carrington and Yovel Zoosman, Speedy Smith countered with a pair from deep to open up the second quarter, Chachashvili came back with points as Jeremy Morgan went from downtown while Braian Angola put in a 3-point play as Erdem Can’s squad held a 44-39 advantage at halftime.

Harper, Carrington and Morgan scored at will to get the third quarter underway while Angola had the hot hand to keep Turk close but the Reds grabbed a 65-62 after thirty minutes of action. Chachashvili started to pick up the scoring for Yonatan Alon’s team while Yoan Makoundou did the same for Turk, Harper scored and scored and scored some more as Chris Johnson closed out the game to hand Hapoel Jerusalem the victory.