Hapoel Holon outlasted AEK 112-108 in triple overtime the saw all eight of the pimples players score in double digits to take the gutsy victory. With the win, Amit Sherf’s squad evened their Basketball Champions League record at 2-2 while AEK dropped to 0-4 and were eliminated from the competition.
In what was a back and forth game, Tahjere McCall tied the game up at 77-77 at the end of regulation but missed out on ending the matchup before overtime as he missed free his free throw which sent the contest into the extra session. AEK held a 100-90 lead with under two minuted remaining in the second overtime but a pair of triples by Drew Crawford and free throws by Niv Misgav sent the game into a 3rd extra period where McCall, Yotam Hanochi, Deondre Burns and Misgav closed out the win.
Drew Crawford – Photo credit: BCL
Crawford scored 19 points, Hanochi added 17 points whole Burns and Misgav scored 16 points in the win. Mindaugas Kuzminskas scored 40 points and Jordan McRae added 27 points in the loss.
Amit Sherf – Photo Credit: BCL
“Big respect to AEK, this was an amazing game,” Amit Sherf said. “Kuzminskas carried them with McRae but I am proud of our defense and the character of the players as we played with lineups that we had never used before. But the guys played with big heart.”
Mindaugas Kuzminskas – Photo Credit: BCL
“It’s really sad to lose a game like that,” AEK Coach Ilias Zouros said. “We missed the opportunity in every situation and we turned over the ball, we missed shots missed layups, missed rebounds and they made 3’s and within 50 seconds we lost the game. Europe is over for us unfortunately and sometimes you need luck. Every player wearing the AEK jersey have to give everything on the court. The game is over and now we have to look ahead, I am very sad that we played in an empty gym, this is not basketball which is a show and it has to be in front of fans.”
Drew Crawford – Photo credit: BCL
Game MVP Drew Crawford share his thoughts, That was one of the craziest games that I was ever a part of. Our team showed a lot of character, we were down and broken but we showed character to stay in it. It was a fun game to play and both teams wanted it, dealing with the adversity. It was tough.”
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