Hapoel Holon defeated Cluj 78-68 in a physical battle as Maurizio Buscaglia’s squad moved to 2-0 in Champions League play. Deft defying moves by Niv Misgav all game long kept the Romanians guessing as Steven Gray hit his shots from deep while Michale Kyser and Chris Johnson controlled the paint as Holon’s defense stifled the visitors over the final frame to wrap up the victory.

Kyser ended the game with 17 points and 8 rebounds, Niv NIsgav off the bench added 14 points while Steven Gray and Chris Johnson each scored 11 points in the win. Elijah Stewart led the way for Cluj with 18 points, Dustin Hogue added 17 points and Patrick Richard scored 11 points in the loss.

“I am glad with the win,” Buscaglia began. “It was most important to have a reaction from everyone after our first loss. We put energy on the defensive side of the court and only giving up 68 points is very good. We played for an extra pass, to play the side and bottom and to have everyone involved. We started cleaning our minds in a very tough game.”

Kyser who led the team in scoring also spoke about the victory, “It was a difficult game from the start and we had to get our fuel back after the loss in the Israeli league. We started making shots and got the W.”

Andrija Stipanovic worked the inside for Cluj to start off the first quarter awhile Brandon Brown and Elijah Stewart each hit a pair of triples but strong play inside by Michale Kyser and Chris Johnson put Holon in front 22-20 after ten minutes of play.

Joe Ragland got busy for the hosts while Niv Misgav and Guy Pnini also scored as Stewart continued to fill the basket and Dustin Hogue added points but Maurizio Buscaglia’s team stayed ahead 37-36 at halftime.

Frederic Bourdillon was ejected early on in the third quarter after being awarded two technical fouls allowing Patrick Richard and Hogue to fill the basket and take the lead. Bit Misgav with a jumper and layup plus a pair of 3-pointers from Steven Gray thrust Holon back in front 58-55.

Misgav went from deep, Johnson put down a dunk and Kyser added a layup to bump the lead to 65-55 midway through the fourth quarter. Johnson drilled a triple, Kyser put down a couple of dunks and added free throws to wrap up a 10-point win.

Hapoel Eilat were stunned by Rilski Sportist 86-83 down south by the Red Sea as Ariel Beit Halachmi’s squad blew a number of double digit leads in FIBA Europe Cup play to fall to the disappointing defeat. Justin Patton led Eilat with 18 points and Roi Huber added 14 points while Aleks Simeonov with 20 points and Trey Porter with 18 points paced the Bulgarian squad to the wi as Eilat’s record is now 2-2 in Group B play.

Hapoel Gilboa Galil dropped their fourth straight Europe Cup game 87-70 to Reggio Emilia and are now in last place in their group with an 0-4 record. Ronnie Harrell led Guy Kaplan’s squad with 14 points as Yotam Hanochi added 12 points in the defeat while Justin Johnson scored 23 points and Bryant Crawford chipped in with 19 points in the win.