Local Hoops: Jeter leads J'lem over Afula

Thompson adds 21 points and 6 rebounds for Hapoel, which can afford to lose by 5 in Berlin and still advance to Eurocup last 4.

By ALLON SINAI
hapoel jerusalem pooh jeter 311 (photo credit: BSL)
hapoel jerusalem pooh jeter 311
(photo credit: BSL)
Pooh Jeter capped a sensational 39-point performance with a buzzer-beating three-pointer to give Hapoel Jerusalem a dramatic 102-99 victory over Hapoel Afula on Saturday night.
The last thing Jerusalem wanted before its crucial Eurocup quarterfinal return leg at Alba Berlin on Wednesday was to fall to an unexpected BSL loss at Afula. However, Guy Goodes's men were pushed all the way on Saturday and owe their victory to an unbelievable shooting night from Jeter.
The American guard ended an almost perfect game with 4-of-4 from two-point range, a stunning 9-of-10 from beyond the arc and 4-of-4 from the free-throw line.
Dijon Thompson added 21 points and six rebounds for Jerusalem, which can afford to lose by five points in Berlin and still advance to the Eurocup last four.
Dionte Christmas scored 32 points for Afula, which has lost three consecutive games.    
A 17-0 run gave the visitors a 27-13 lead at the start of the second period, but a 14-3 run to end the first half brought Gilboa right back into the game, closing the gap to 47-43.
The hosts completed their comeback in the third period, only for Jerusalem to take a 74-70 margin into the final 10 minutes.
A very tight fourth frame came down to the final minutes when Jeter took over, scoring 10 points, including the decisive three-pointer.  
Four more games will be played on Sunday, with Barak Netanya hosting Hapoel Gilboa/Galil in a direct showdown for home-court advantage in the BSL playoffs.
Netanya is currently in fifth position, a game behind Gilboa andMaccabi Haifa, and after losing its last two games can not affordanother defeat on Sunday.
Also Sunday, Haifa visits Ironi Ramat Gan, Bnei Hasharon hosts Hapoel Holon and Ironi Nahariya welcomes Maccabi Rishon Lezion.
MaccabiTel Aviv's home game against Ironi Ashkelon was postponed to April 10to help the yellow-and-blue prepare for Game 3 of their Euroleaguequarterfinals series against Partizan Belgrade in Serbia on Tuesday.