Lietkabelis defeated Hapoel

Hapoel suffered a EuroCup loss tonight (Wednesday), falling 93-87 at "home" against Lietkabelis in Round 11 and dropping to a 4-7 record in the competition. The Israeli team fought hard throughout against the lower-ranked Lithuanian side, but Lietkabelis' stronger performance in the final minutes, led by Mantas Rubštavi?ius, decided the game in their favor. On the red side, only Jared Harper scored in the last four minutes, finishing the night with 24 points and six assists. Kadyn Carrington contributed 14 points and Chris Johnson added 13 points and 7 rebounds. Hapoel distributed 19 assists compared to 15 turnovers - four more than their opponents, who had only 11 turnovers. Lietkabelis also controlled the rebounding battle, winning 31-27, including 10 offensive rebounds, some of which were crucial late in the game.

Following the loss and a victory by Olimpia Ljubljana over Venice, Hapoel remains second in Group B, tied with the Slovenians, missing the chance to open a one-game lead over fourth-place Boulazac, who lost to Cluj in Romania. Next week, Jonathan Alon's team will try to get back on the winning track in the EuroCup with an away game in Germany against Hamburg Towers. Before that, a top league clash awaits, as they visit Herzliya in Uval Arena next Saturday night.


Rubštavi?ius vs. Philip: Led the Lithuanians to victory

Game summary:

Hapoel starting five: Jared Harper, Khadeen Carrington, Yovel Zoosman, Chris Johnson, Gabi Chachashvili
Lietkabelis starting five: Dovis Bikauskis, Marko Pekarski, Georgios Klaiziakis, Mantas Rubštavi?ius, Justin Briggs

Rubštavi?ius opened with a three-pointer giving the visitors a slight lead. Chachashvili responded with points under the basket, and Harper kept Hapoel close. Lipkevi?ius scored two points at the buzzer, putting Lietkabelis up 18-17. The second quarter started with points from Harper, but Lietkabelis controlled the pace as Rubštavi?ius added another three-pointer and Klaiziakis contributed free throws. Carrington tried to keep Hapoel in the game with strong offensive plays, but near halftime, another three from Lipkevi?ius extended the lead to eight points, 49-41.


Carrington: Made some good moves in the second quarter

Hapoel came out of halftime with an offensive burst led by Derek Ogbeide and Jeremy Morgan, who sparked a 10-2 run to tie the game. Lietkabelis kept calm, with Varnas and Rubštavi?ius hitting threes and Briggs adding four points to regain the lead. Hapoel tied the game again with a and-1 by Chachashvili and another three-pointer by Morgan. The quarter ended tied 69-69 after free throws by Harper.

The fourth quarter opened with points by Mald?nas, answered by an important three from Zoosman. Harper kept scoring from the line, giving Hapoel a temporary lead, but Lipkevi?ius responded with a three-pointer of his own. Four free throws—two by each team—kept the game tied at 78. Harper made a driving layup to tie it again at 83-83, but Rubštavi?ius led a decisive 10-3 run in the final minutes, pushing Lietkabelis ahead by seven points. Harper tried to fight back but missed a free throw, and Lietkabelis held on to win 93-87, handing Jonathan Alon's team a disappointing defeat.


Morgan: Showed strong defense before fouling out with five fouls

Scoring:

Hapoel: Harper 24, Carrington 14, Morgan 13, Johnson 13, Chachashvili 9, Ogbeide 7, Zoosman 4, Phillip 3. Also played: Cornelius, Dovrat.

Lietkabelis: Rubštavi?ius 19, Kubliair 18, Mald?nas 13, Varnas 11, Lipkevi?ius 10, Bikauskis 8, Briggs 7, Pekarski 6, Klaiziakis 1. Also played: Labrinovi?ius.