Third strongest Lithuanian team Siauliai visited Hapoel Jerusalem on the opening night of Eurocup 2009-2010 season but will return home empty handed after losing to the hosts 76-89. Despite having much more experienced squad Hapoel had troubles against Siauliai and the game could have gone either way at several points.
The visitors trailed for the whole game but still did not let their opponents gain a big lead. The teams left the court for the locker rooms at the half time with Hapoel having 8 point lead.
Siauliai tried to turn the game around in the third quarter and were down by just two points but failed to hold on that. Hapoel responded with a spurt but it still was a close game with the Israeli club leading by 4 points after 30 minutes of play.
Hapoel started the final period stronger. Even though Siauliai tried hard to stay close, in the end it was Hapoel's experience and talent that decided the winner. The lead increased to 13 points in the final minutes of the game as the visitors secured their first win in Eurocup.
21-year-old Deividas Gailius, who is top scorer for Siauliai in both LKL and BBL, had just 4 points and 5 fouls. Meanwhile Hapoel relied on their American import with as they scored 76 out of 89 points.
89 (19+20+22+27) – Hapoel: Tre Simmons 19, Dijon Thomspon 18, Kevinn Pinkney 16, Pooh Jeter 10, Yuval Naimy 9, Leo Lyons 8, Brandon Hunter 5, Uri Kokia 4.
76 (13+18+26+19) – Siauliai: Derrick Low 20, Brandon Brown 14, Arvydas Siksnius 11, Mindaugas Zukauskas 7, Vytautas Sarakauskas 6, Mindaugas Kuzminskas 5, Gediminas Orelik 5, Deividas Gailius 4, Raitis Grafs 4.
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