SL Benfica - Hapoel Jerusalem Game Recap: Randolph propells Hapoel to back to back wins

Hapoel Jerusalem built on their victory in Belgrade with a strong performance against Benfica, overcoming a clock malfunction delay and seizing a solid 66-84 win on the road.

Two games, two comebacks for Hapoel

After a shaky start that saw them trail at the end of the first quarter, Hapoel, guided by coach Aleksandar Dzikic, orchestrated a turnaround. Levi Randolph led the charge with 18 points, nine rebounds, and six assists, marking his best BCL performance across 65 appearances. He joined J'Covan Brown as the only Hapoel players to register 15+ points, 5+ rebounds, and 5+ assists in a BCL game since January 2020 (per Opta).

Benfica's lead slips away

Benfica, despite a strong opening, couldn't sustain their momentum. Ivan Almeida's 18 points and Trey Drechsel's 14 weren't enough to fend off Hapoel's resurgence. The Jerusalem side's 14-3 run flipped the game, and by halftime, they led 39-46.

The second half saw Hapoel tightening their grip, entering the final quarter up by 10. They never looked back, capping off the game with an 18-point road victory. This win positions Hapoel at 2-0 in the group, while Benfica slips to a 1-1 record, still edging out PAOK on point difference.

Benfica's bench struggled, contributing less than 10 points for the first time this BCL season—a stark contrast to the depth displayed by Hapoel's roster (per Opta).

Next up, Hapoel heads to Thessaloniki to clash with PAOK, as the BCL action continues. Benfica, on the other hand, will look to bounce back when they visit Galatasaray.

SL Benfica - Hapoel Jerusalem Game Highlights

Watch Benfica's promising start and Hapoel's comeback with the SL Benfica - Hapoel Jerusalem game highlights.