Hapoel Jerusalem kept their Champions League hopes alive and well after downing Pinar Karsiyaka 85-65 to win their second continental clash in a row. The victory helped the Reds leapfrog their Turkish foe in Group B play and will have a chance to punch their ticket to the second round when they face Manresa in Spain in two weeks.

The Reds travelled to Turkey and dominated the hosts the entire 40 minutes going 16/29 from beyond the 3-point arc to go along with strong play from Retin Obasohan, Jalen Adams and an all around solid performance on both ends of the floor by Yotam Halperin’s entire squad. Obasohan led the way with 22 points, Adams added 21 points, Adam Ariel chipped in with 11 points and Sean Kilpatrick scored 10 points in the win. James Blackman and Amath M’Baye scrod 12 points a piece in the defeat.

“It’s not about me, but the team,” the game’s MVP Retin Obasohan said. “We knew that this was a big game for both of us and I am really proud as to how we competed with tremendous heart and care to take the win. Basketball is a game of runs and you want to have bigger runs than your opponent. Coach did a good job having us regroup but that is the beauty of basketball execute every play and it will give you a good chance to win.”

“We had a lots of ups and downs in this game and we played against a good team and good coach,” winning coach Yotam Halperin commented. “It’s not me but the players did an excellent job today. When the game was on the line and the fans were into it and they controlled everything, we did an excellent job.”

“I don’t have to speak about Manresa and you can see their results as they are 4-0 with an amazing coach. It will be extremely tough over there and i hope that today will help us qualify. But we have two weeks now and we have to also think about domestic league games including one coming up on Monday.”

Hapoel Jerusalem jumped all over Pinar Karsiyaka to get the first quarter underway as Retin Obasohan, Jalen Adams and Willy Workman all scored multiple baskets while Adam Ariel hit a catch and shoot triple for ether fourth of the frame to give the visitors an early 26-12 commanding lead. Adams went from deep to begin the second quarter while Kaiser Gates also went from downtown, but Amath M’Baye and Alex Tyus began chipping away at the Jerusalem lead as Yotam Halperin’s squad headed into halftime with a 40-35 advantage.

Obasohan and Sean Kilpatrick dialed up long distance to start off the third quarter but James Blackmon and Bonzie Colson scored for Ufuk Sarica’s squad but Obasohan went from deep yet again to keep Jerusalem in front 62-56 after thirty minutes pf play.

Once again it was Obasohan who took the ball to the hoop as the fourth quarter began with a 9-0 Jerusalem run to use the lead into double digits. Suleiman Braimoh put in important points, Adams went scored a corner 3-ball and Ariel also chalked up points from deep as Jerusalem rolled to the 20-point win.