Hapoel Jerusalem fell to Valencia 96-83 as five players scored in double digits for the Spaniards who did as they pleased early on as they never looked back to take the win. Chris Jones paced the host’s offense from the get go as Khadeen Carrington and Chris Johnson tried to keep the Reds close.

But points from Matt Costello, Semi Ojeleye and Jean Montero proved to be too much as Pedro Martinez’s team recorded the victory. Yonatan Alan’s team saw their record drop to 7-3 but remained in second place as they will now ready for Hapoel Galil Elyon on Saturday night in Israeli league play.

Carrington scored 17 points, Jared Harper added 16 points and Chris Johnson chipped in with 15 points in the loss. Jones scored 20 points, while Monitor and Costello each scored 13 points in the win.

“There were two different halves, obviously the better team won,” Jerusalem Head Coach Yonatan Alon said. “We dug a big hole in the first half as Valencia were running the floor and making big shots without us even bothering them. We played a bit better offensively in the second half but it was Valencia’s night tonight.”

Semi Ojeleye, Chris Jones and Jean Montero scored with ease to open the game up as Khadeen Carrington, Chris Johnson and Jeremy Morgan responded but the hosts took a 33-26 lead after ten minutes of play. Jared Harper scored but Matt Costello scored on the inside, Nate Sestina, Sergio De Larrea and Montero went from deep as Pedro Martinez’s team went on a 20-0 run to head into halftime holding a 59-38 advantage.

Carrington drilled home a trio from deep to begin the third quarter, Johnson and Harper also scored, however, Costello scored as did Jones to to keep Valencia ahead 79-62 after thirty minutes of action. Yovel Zoosman and Johnson kept working on cutting into the lead, Brabcou Badio and Costello responded while Jones scored as well to close out the win.