Tonight (Wednesday), Hapoel Holon recorded an important, prestigious and especially dramatic away win over Brindisi in the opening of the top 16 of the Champions League – 85:87. The victory is the responsibility of two players, Niv Misgav, who surprised the Italians who did not prepare for it and finished with 12 points, and Guy Pnini, who stitched a three-pointer victory 19.1 seconds to go.
Although not playing for 20 days, Stefanos Dadas’ side showed no rust and performed wonderfully, especially on offense, from the jump ball.
The visitors opened the scoring with a 10:20 advantage as they scored 7 of 7 from the field, but Brindisi slowly got into things and took the lead. Holon managed to turn in the fourth quarter, but the Italians took the lead again and already seemed to be winning when the scoreboard showed 78:83 in their favor, a minute and a half to go.
But Chris Johnson, Maxim de Zhao and Misgav managed to set an 83:83 tie. Ex Holon, James Bell still put Brindisi back in the lead, but then came Pnini’s huge three. In the last attack of the Italians, Holon managed to prevent a basket, and Willie Workman closed a story from the line.
Holon’s victory is even more impressive because it was achieved without its two chins, Isaiah Miles (Corona) and Richard Howell (knee injury). In addition, in the fourth quarter Tyros Maggie was sent off.
CJ Harris and Chris Johnson led the scenes with 17 points each, Maggie added 13, Pearls 11, De Zhao 9, Frederic Bourdieu 5 and Workman 3.