Hapoel Jerusalem Dominates Maccabi Ashdod in Winner Cup Opener
Hapoel Jerusalem, a team with significant expectations following a summer of changes, officially kicked off their 2026/27 season with a decisive 110-77 victory over newcomers Maccabi Ashdod. The game, part of the Winner Cup group stage, saw American forward Kenny Lofton Jr. emerge as the star player, scoring 23 points and leading a crucial scoring run early in the third quarter that propelled Jerusalem to a commanding lead.
The team, coached by Sasha Obradovic, extended their advantage throughout the second half, ultimately securing a 33-point win. Other key contributors for Jerusalem included Rudy with 17 points and Milton with 14 points. However, the victory was tempered by an injury to player Zusman.
Maccabi Ashdod, despite a strong performance from Robit who scored 19 points, could not overcome Jerusalem's offensive power and defensive pressure. The loss marks a challenging start for the newly promoted team in their first Winner Cup appearance.
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