Stewart and Nikolic Lead Dominant Road Victory
Union Olimpija Ljubljana produced a commanding second-half performance to overwhelm Hapoel Jerusalem 99-84 in Round 2 of EuroCup action on October 8th. After a tightly contested first half that saw the teams deadlocked at 42-42, the Slovenian side exploded for 30 points in the third quarter to seize control and never looked back.
DJ Stewart was magnificent for the visitors, posting a game-high 41 efficiency rating with 27 points on an impressive 9-of-13 shooting from the field. The American forward was perfect from the free-throw line, converting all seven attempts, while also contributing eight rebounds, five assists, and two steals. His plus-minus of +17 underscored his impact on both ends of the floor throughout his 28 minutes of action.
Coming off the bench, Aleksej Nikolic provided crucial firepower for Union Olimpija Ljubljana, scoring 22 points in just under 24 minutes. The Slovenian guard was flawless from the charity stripe, making all 12 of his free-throw attempts, and added four assists while maintaining a +18 plus-minus rating. His ability to get to the line and convert under pressure proved instrumental in breaking open what had been a competitive contest.
Gibson's All-Around Excellence
Umoja Gibson orchestrated the offense brilliantly for the victors, contributing 21 points and six assists while shooting an efficient 7-of-10 from the field. The American point guard knocked down four three-pointers and was perfect on his three free-throw attempts, demonstrating his versatility as both a scorer and facilitator. His decision-making proved critical during Ljubljana's decisive third-quarter surge.
David Skara provided solid interior presence for the winning side, scoring nine points on 4-of-5 shooting while grabbing four rebounds. The Croatian forward's efficiency near the basket and his +11 plus-minus reflected his positive contributions during his 26 minutes on the court. His ability to finish around the rim helped establish Ljubljana's inside-outside balance.
Jerusalem's Struggles After Halftime
Hapoel Jerusalem entered halftime with momentum after outscoring their opponents 24-13 in the second quarter to forge a 53-42 advantage. However, the Israeli side managed just 13 points in a disastrous third quarter while surrendering 30 to the visitors, turning a competitive game into a rout. The home team never recovered from that devastating ten-minute stretch.
Anthony Lamb paced Jerusalem's attack with 14 points, five rebounds, and three assists, shooting a perfect 3-of-3 from two-point range. Despite his individual efficiency, the American forward's -6 plus-minus indicated that the team struggled while he was on the floor. His two three-pointers kept Jerusalem within striking distance during the first half, but he couldn't stem the tide in the second.
Dmytro Skapintsev provided a spark off the bench for the hosts, recording 15 points and seven rebounds in just under 17 minutes. The Ukrainian center shot an impressive 6-of-8 from inside the arc and converted all three of his free throws, posting a team-best +9 plus-minus. His energy and interior scoring offered one of the few bright spots in an otherwise disappointing performance.
Harper and Carrington Struggle to Make Impact
Jared Harper finished with 14 points for Jerusalem but needed nine shot attempts to get there, converting just 4-of-9 from the field and 4-of-7 from the line. More concerning was his -21 plus-minus, the worst among regular contributors, as the defense collapsed around him during key stretches. His three turnovers against only two assists reflected the offensive struggles that plagued the home team.
Khadeen Carrington endured a particularly difficult evening, scoring just five points on 2-of-7 shooting while posting a team-worst -32 plus-minus in 19 minutes. The American guard missed all four of his three-point attempts and committed two turnovers as Jerusalem's backcourt failed to provide the necessary scoring punch. His struggles epitomized the home team's second-half collapse.
Bench Production Makes the Difference
Cassius Winston offered a glimpse of what might have been for Jerusalem, contributing 10 points and seven assists off the bench with a +5 plus-minus. The American point guard shot 3-of-4 from inside the arc and made all four free throws, providing efficient offense during his 19 minutes. However, his positive contributions weren't enough to offset the collective defensive breakdowns.
Joseph Girard III came off the bench to provide valuable minutes for Ljubljana, knocking down three three-pointers en route to nine points. The American guard's +10 plus-minus in just over 15 minutes demonstrated his positive impact, as he helped extend leads rather than simply maintain them. His perimeter shooting stretched Jerusalem's defense and created additional driving lanes.
Thomas Kennedy added six points and five rebounds in 23 minutes for the winners, shooting 3-of-5 from two-point range. The Irish big man's presence on the boards and his defensive awareness contributed to Ljubljana's second-half dominance. His plus-minus of +5 reflected his steady, mistake-free basketball.
Defensive Intensity Shifts Momentum
The turning point came in the third quarter when Ljubljana's defensive pressure forced Jerusalem into uncomfortable possessions. The visitors' ability to convert defense into offense during that critical period opened up a 72-66 advantage heading into the final frame. Jerusalem managed just 13 points in that quarter, their lowest output of any period, while committing crucial turnovers that led to easy transition baskets.
Justin Smith scored 10 points for the home team but struggled with his plus-minus, finishing at -24 in nearly 23 minutes. The American forward shot 5-of-9 from inside the arc and added three rebounds and a block, but defensive lapses undermined his offensive contributions. His inability to contain Ljubljana's versatile attack left Jerusalem constantly playing catch-up.
Yovel Zoosman managed just four points in less than 15 minutes, posting a -17 plus-minus that reflected Jerusalem's struggles when he was on court. The Israeli forward grabbed four rebounds but couldn't provide the secondary scoring needed to support the team's American imports. His limited offensive production left too much burden on his teammates.
Ljubljana's Balanced Attack Proves Decisive
Beyond the standout performances from Stewart, Nikolic, and Gibson, Ljubljana received contributions throughout their rotation. Rok Radovic added five points and two steals in valuable minutes off the bench, while Jaka Blazic provided veteran leadership despite going scoreless. The team's depth allowed them to maintain pressure throughout all 40 minutes.
The statistical dominance was evident across multiple categories. Ljubljana shot 48.5% from the field compared to Jerusalem's 45.5%, while the visitors' superior ball movement led to better shot selection. The 15-point margin of victory represented a comprehensive performance that positions Ljubljana well moving forward in EuroCup competition.
Looking Ahead
This victory improves Union Olimpija Ljubljana's early-season form after their previous win against BAXI Manresa. The Slovenian club demonstrated their ability to adjust at halftime and execute a game plan designed to exploit Jerusalem's defensive vulnerabilities. Their second-half explosion showed the kind of championship quality that could carry them deep into the competition.
For Hapoel Jerusalem, despite coming off a victory against Veolia Towers Hamburg, this defeat exposed significant defensive issues that must be addressed. The inability to maintain their first-half intensity and the catastrophic third-quarter collapse will require immediate attention. The coaching staff must find solutions to prevent similar defensive breakdowns in future contests, particularly against teams with multiple scoring threats like Ljubljana possesses.
