Tillman, Hapoel Tel Aviv top host Jerusalem

• Date: 30 March 2021
• Published date: 30 March 2021
• Author: JOSHUA HALICKMAN
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

The Tel Aviv Reds jumped out to a 35-18 lead after the first quarter and, despite losing both James Young and Tyrique Jones to injury, were able to hang on for the six-point victory.

Tillman scored a league-high in points for this season with 37 and added 10 rebounds, Yam Madar and Young each added 12 points, while newcomer Paul Stoll scored six points and handed out six assists. Bar Timor, in his return to Jerusalem, scored seven points and dished out seven assists for Tel Aviv against his former club in the win.

Adam Ariel led the hosts with 20 points, Ray McCallum scored 18 points in his Jerusalem debut and Suleiman Braimoh also put in 18 points in the loss.

"This was a very big win for the club because we came into this game with a new lineup," explained Franco. "We played exceptionally well in the first half but then we lost some players to injury and the guys came off the bench to battle and fight for the team."

Tillman, the game's most valuable player, spoke about how he made the most of his chances while also reflecting on the tough year he's had on a personal level.

"When I had my touch going with my quick release, nobody could stop me. Everybody stepped up and played defense. I've been through a lot this year from losing both my parents to COVID-19 to switching teams and getting injured. I feel blessed to be healthy and to be part of this team in a country that I love."

Jerusalem coach Danius Adomaits expressed his frustration at the result.

"This is the coach's responsibility," said Adomaits. "We had a very bad first 10 minutes. I will be the last person who will give up and the last person who would not believe in these guys. We missed shots and for sure the pressure is on us and it's my job to take the pressure."

McCallum scored the first points of the game for Hapoel Jerusalem, but Hapoel Tel Aviv's Tillman scored points aplenty inside to give his team an early 13-5 first-quarter lead.

Franco's squad continued to pour it on as Young drilled home a pair of triples and Jones scored inside, as TaShawn Thomas tried to keep Adomaitis's team close, but it was down 35-18 after 10 minutes.

Tillman continued to score from inside the paint, but Young went down in a heap and had to be helped off of the court in a tremendous amount of pain. Still, the Tel Aviv Reds upped their lead to 44-22 with 6:54 left in the second quarter.

McCallum, Kramer and Braimoh put in points for Jerusalem, but couldn't make much of a dent as Tel Avivi went into halftime with...