Hapoel Tel Aviv defeated Badalona 103-99 to get back on the winning track following a pair of losses over as many weeks. The Reds held close to a double digit lead throughout the contest thanks to fine play by Xavier Munford and Jaylen Hoard, but Andrew Andrews, Deshaun Thomas and Andreas Feliz evened up the contest late in the game. However big baskets down the stretch by Kyle Alexander and Munford closed out the game for the Reds to take the in.
Xavier Munford took the bull by the horns to begin the first quarter for Hapoel Tel Aviv as he scored at will and out down a big dunk as well while Kyle Alexander, Jaylen Hoard and Idan Zalmanson also found the hoop while Andew Andrews countered for Badalona but the Reds grabbed a 26-19 lead after ten minutes. Deshaun Thomas and Tyler Cook kept the visitors close as Munford continued to score at will while Hoard filled the basket as well to send Danny Franco’s squad into halftime holding a 54-44 advantage.
Munford led the way with 31 points, Hoard added 18 points while Alexander and Brown each checked in with 17 points a piece in the win. Felix paced Badalona with 24 points, Andrews added 23 points as Thomas scored 18 points in the loss.
“I’m happy that we stayed together when Badalona came back,” Danny Franco said. “We had an issue with that in the last couple of games. I am happy for the win and I hope that we can work on some tings which is better to do after we win.
There were some fans who came out to the game in Belgrade, but the bench boss knows that the Reds home arena is missed by both the players and the fans, “Our Drive In is our home, it’s our house and the warmest place with 3m500 people. It’s a huge advantage, I am happy some guys came to support us here and we were able to get some smiles from them although we gave some people a heart attack. I am happy with what we did and I wish we can get back to our home and have the chance to play in front of our fans.”
The game MVP Xavier Munford reflected on the game, “Badalona is good team but this was a just win after we had lost two games which didn’t sit well with us. We came in with a different mindset and wanted to come here with our type of play. Our fans are amazing and one of the best I have ever played for. I appreciate them coming out with what is going on in Israel and those who are watching in Israel, we feel it.”
Andres Feliz and Pau Ribas spurred on the Spaniards while Munford and Hoard kept scoring for Hapoel as J’Covan Brown with a fadeaway made sure to send his squad into the final frame with a 83-74 lead. Feliz, Thomas and Andrews began to cut down the gap and tie the game up with a shade over a minute left but back-to-back baskets by Alexander and another bucket by Munford sealed the deal and gave Hapoel the win.
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