Hapoel Jerusalem Edges Hapoel HaEmek 59-65 for 11th Straight Win
Hapoel Jerusalem secured a narrow 59-65 victory over Hapoel HaEmek to claim their 11th consecutive win across all competitions, despite struggling with poor shooting.
Hapoel Jerusalem extended its winning streak to 11 consecutive matches across all competitions on Sunday, defeating Hapoel HaEmek 59-65 in the fifth round of the Winner League. Despite missing Lorenzo Brown and Devonte Cacok, and struggling with poor shooting percentages throughout the match, the hosts managed to secure a hard-fought victory at the Pais Arena.
The first half was characterized by offensive struggles from both sides. Hapoel HaEmek capitalized on Jerusalem's early mistakes and took a 16-20 lead at the end of the first quarter, led by solid performances from C.J. Elleby and Rafi Menco. Jerusalem continued to misfire in the second quarter, shooting poorly from beyond the arc and the free-throw line, but a late push allowed the capital club to edge ahead 31-32 by halftime.
Momentum Shifts and Fourth-Quarter Struggle
The tempo remained sluggish in the second half. Kenny Lofton Jr. sparked a brief offensive surge in the third quarter, helping Jerusalem build a 32-39 lead. However, HaEmek responded with a 12-2 run fueled by Menco and Christian Mekowulu to reclaim the advantage at 44-48. Jerusalem answered immediately with a 7-0 run of their own to close the third period up 51-48.
The final quarter saw both teams trade misses and turnovers in a low-scoring battle. Jerusalem leaned on defensive stops and crucial baskets down the stretch to pull away, sealing the 59-65 final score. C.J. Elleby led HaEmek with 15 points and 7 rebounds, while Kenny Lofton Jr. paced Jerusalem with 13 points and 5 rebounds. Jerusalem now turns its attention to the upcoming EuroCup fixture against Derthona.
