Paris Pull Clear To Top Hapoel Holon

Jawad Williams led all Parisian scorers with 21 points

Paris Levallois pulled away in the second half as they continued their strong recent form with an 83-66 victory over Hapoel Holon in their EuroChallenge Group J opener.

Hapoel Holon had held a narrow lead late in the second quarter and the Paris lead was just three early in the third period before the hosts moved through the gears.

Sean May had six points in a 10-2 burst that made it 39-38 and when John Cox hit a three they led 56-44 with 84 seconds left in the third quarter.

Cox had another three early in the fourth period as part of a short spurt that moved them 63-46 clear.

Hapoel were not done yet though, and replied with eight straight points to make it 63-54 on Sean Daniel's put-back from Lawrence Hill's missed three-pointer.

But Paris then effectively wrapped up victory by matching them with an 8-0 run of their own, Andrew Albicy's lay-up making it 71-54 with 4:35 left.

They comfortably held Hapoel off the rest of the way and the final score might have been worse for the visitors if Paris had not missed their final five three-point attempts.

Jawad Williams led Paris with 21 points while Cox had 20, and May collected 16 with 16 rebounds. Albicy finished with 13 points and 10 assists.

Hill poured in 26 points and added 14 rebounds for Holon while Jerome Dyson had 15 points and Daniel 14.

Quotes Paris Levallois vs. Hapoel Holon

Holon head coach Dan Shamir:
"All of our thoughts go to Franklin [Hassell] and his family as they are going through a very tough time. We tried to do the best we could without him, but it wasn't enough to beat Paris tonight."

Holon player Lawrence Hill:
"We were surprised by how fast they are. We played zone defense, but they adapted well. They attacked the gaps and shot the ball very well."

Paris head coach Christophe Denis:
"What I ask of my players is for them to be the best basketball players they can be all the time, for every game, every practice. It is important to start the second round well, and especially at home, because we have a tough six weeks coming up. The travels to Holon and to Szolnoki won't be easy at all, so it is important to take every home game.

Paris player Andrew Albicy:
"We want to play every competition. We never choose to put the league first, or the Leaders Cup coming up, or the EuroChallenge. Every game we try to play our best game. What is important when you play twice a week is to take care of your body and use the free time, you have to rest. If we want to be competitive every game night it is a necessity."

Quotes Paris Levallois vs. Hapoel Holon

Holon head coach Dan Shamir:
"All of our thoughts go to Franklin [Hassell] and his family as they are going through a very tough time. We tried to do the best we could without him, but it wasn't enough to beat Paris tonight."

Holon player Lawrence Hill:
"We were surprised by how fast they are. We played zone defense, but they adapted well. They attacked the gaps and shot the ball very well."

Paris head coach Christophe Denis:
"What I ask of my players is for them to be the best basketball players they can be all the time, for every game, every practice. It is important to start the second round well, and especially at home, because we have a tough six weeks coming up. The travels to Holon and to Szolnoki won't be easy at all, so it is important to take every home game.

Paris player Andrew Albicy:
"We want to play every competition. We never choose to put the league first, or the Leaders Cup coming up, or the EuroChallenge. Every game we try to play our best game. What is important when you play twice a week is to take care of your body and use the free time, you have to rest. If we want to be competitive every game night it is a necessity."