Strong start gives Hapoel Galil Elion the win in the Opening game

The new season in Delasport Balkan League started tonight. In the Opening game Hapoel Nufar Energy Galil Elion defeated BC Balkan 56-45 thanks to a strong start. The home side led from start to finish and once it built a double-digit advantage, controlled the game until the end. The visitors never threathened their opponents although they never stopped trying but it wasn't meant to be in a really low scoring affair. Hapoel will travel to North Macedonia to play KK Navico Akademija FMP on October 26th while Balkan's next game is on November 3rd against Levski.

The hosts started really well and scored the first 11 points of the game. Throught the first quarter they were dominating as Nimrod Levi was unstoppable under the basket with 12 points and 100% shooting. After ten minutes Hapoel was up by 18 points and early in the second the difference reached 22. The visitors responded with a 10-0 run of their own to finally get something going but it was the closest they came in the first half. Hapoel managed to answer right back and were up by 17 points after 20 minutes of play. In the second half things didn't change much. THe home side was controlling its advantage while The Greens came twice to just 9-points deficit but missed chances to cut it even further. Generally both teams were missing a lot of shots and at the end Hapoel held on for the win.

Nimrod Levi was the top performer for the home team as he finished with 18 points and 8 rebounds. Gabriel Chachashvili also did well by adding 10 and 6 while Chavaughn Lewis had 8 points, 7 assists and 5 rebounds.

Derrick Marks was the only player in double figures by scoring 12 points but he shot 6 of 18 from the field. Kris Minkov and Alihan Demir scored 8 points each.

BOXSCORE