Telekom Baskets See Off Late Revival

Jared Jordan had a big Wednesday scoring 20 points to go with 12 rebounds

Telekom Baskets Bonn have maintained a perfect record to begin the new EuroChallenge season, knocking over the previously undefeated Hapoel Holon 85-78 in EuroChallenge Group H action on Wednesday night.

Despite taking the lead for good on a Kyle Weems three-pointer midway through the opening frame, victory was never a done deal for Telekom Baskets against a tenacious Israeli side who were still in the picture late in the game, despite having trailed by as much as 19 points.

With less than five minutes gone in the third quarter, Telekom Baskets could be forgiven for already sensing victory when a Benas Veikalas pair from the charity stripe had the Germans up 58-39.

However, the hosts lost their way momentarily, allowing their hosts to score 21 points in the back end of the quarter to have their lead cut to 11 going into the final stanza. Momentum remained with the visitors following the break and when David Smith brought up his 17th point of the night from the free-throw line with 05:17 to play, the lead was down to four points.

It was then Veikalas who snapped the home team back to life, sinking a three-pointer to open the gap back up to seven and relieve some of the pressure Telekom Baskets were facing down the stretch.

Veikalas ended the game with just the five points whilst Jared Jordan led with a 20-point, 12-rebound double-double. Weems chipped in with 17 points on four-from-four shooting from outside while Chris Ensminger contributed 12 and Patrick Ewing Jr. helped out with 10.

Franklin Hassell was prominent inside the paint for Hapoel Holon, recording 18 points and 12 rebounds.

Quotes Telekom Baskets vs. Hapoel Holon

Bonn head coach Michael Koch:
"We had a good start, came out aggressive and ready to play. We knew we have a special task at hand with three consecutive home games, so it is important for us to secure our home floor before heading into the last two road games. Going into the third period we relaxed a little too early instead of finishing strong and closing out the game."

Bonn player Benas Veikalas:
"It was a hard-fought game we needed to win. We were glad to take an early lead and felt too comfortable after intermission. In the end we finished strong with couple big plays to grab a commanding lead."

Holon head coach Dan Shamir:
"Congratulations to Bonn for the win. We are a team in progress with many rookies as far as international play is concerned. We gave away too many offensive rebounds and easy layups, instead of attacking the paint ourselves."

Holon player Jerome Dyson:
"We gave away too many easy baskets that hurt us in the long run. Our slow start is something we have to work on in order to be successful, especially when we play on the road."

Quotes Telekom Baskets vs. Hapoel Holon

Bonn head coach Michael Koch:
"We had a good start, came out aggressive and ready to play. We knew we have a special task at hand with three consecutive home games, so it is important for us to secure our home floor before heading into the last two road games. Going into the third period we relaxed a little too early instead of finishing strong and closing out the game."

Bonn player Benas Veikalas:
"It was a hard-fought game we needed to win. We were glad to take an early lead and felt too comfortable after intermission. In the end we finished strong with couple big plays to grab a commanding lead."

Holon head coach Dan Shamir:
"Congratulations to Bonn for the win. We are a team in progress with many rookies as far as international play is concerned. We gave away too many offensive rebounds and easy layups, instead of attacking the paint ourselves."

Holon player Jerome Dyson:
"We gave away too many easy baskets that hurt us in the long run. Our slow start is something we have to work on in order to be successful, especially when we play on the road."