Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv protected its place at the top of the EuroLeague standings on Tuesday night, edging Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade 84-78 in a tense battle at Pais Arena in Jerusalem.
The matchup carried weight on both sides, as Hapoel opened the final double-round week of the year aiming to maintain momentum, while the Serbian side sought an immediate response after back-to-back defeats.
Neither team led by more than seven points all night, and the contest remained undecided until the final possessions. Chris Jones delivered two difficult mid-range baskets late, while Zvezda came up empty at the other end.
Elijah Bryant was the central figure for the hosts, producing the best scoring night of his EuroLeague career. The American wing finished with 28 points on 6-of-11 shooting from beyond the arc.
Bryant also filled the box score with nine rebounds and five assists while logging nearly 39 minutes. He sealed the outcome at the free-throw line, scoring Hapoel’s final points to shut the door on a late rally.
Jones added 15 points and provided control in the closing stretch, while Daniel Oturu chipped in 18 points on efficient finishing around the basket. Hapoel shot 60.7 percent from two-point range, which proved decisive in a tight game.
The home side’s defense made the difference late, holding Zvezda to just seven points over the final four minutes. That stretch allowed Hapoel to protect a narrow lead without needing a late three-point swing.
Jared Butler led Zvezda with 27 points. He consistently attacked off the dribble, but his scoring slowed once Hapoel tightened its perimeter coverage.
Crvena Zvezda fell to 9-7 and suffered a third straight loss, with road struggles continuing. The visitors shot 29.2 percent from three-point range and committed key turnovers during decisive moments.
Hapoel improved to 12-4 and now faces a demanding road test at Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens on Thursday. Crvena Zvezda returns home to host Virtus Bologna on Friday in a matchup that could shape its season trajectory.
