REBOUNDS AND THREES COST MEGA BIG WIN AGAINST PARTIZAN

Players of Mega Leks failed to come up with victory in the derby of the 11th round of ABA league after Partizan NIS celebrated with 86:79 (20:26, 22:16, 20:15, 24:22). The audience in the hall, “Aleksandar Nikolic” in Belgrade was able to enjoy in a very dynamic match where Mega had a good opportunity to record a big win but Partizan in finish with threes of Andric and Hatcher preserve the lead and eventually won. Also, one of the key reasons for the defeat was the rebound game where Partizan out rebounded Mega with 37 rebounds (16 offensive) to 23.

Best in the ranks of Mega Leks were Ognjen Jaramaz with 16 points and Rade Zagorac with 15, while both recorded 5 assists. In the home team William Hatcher was the most efficient with 16 points. After 11 rounds Mega has a record of 4 wins and 7 losses and the next match will play within the 7th round of the Basketball Champions League on Wednesday at 20:30 against the team of Tenerife.

Dejan Milojevic started the match with Novak, Mushidi, Zagorac, Cancar and Kaba. Excellent start for players of Mega, who after 4 minutes led with a 2:11 with 2 times plus one situations for Mushidi. Partizan managed to get back in the game but iZagorac with two triples preserve the lead after the first 10 minutes, 20:26.

At the beginning of the second quarter after the three pointer of Novak, Mega comes to plus 7, 22:29. Partizan with mini series strikes back and then thrive and take the lead. Jaramaz with two triples does not allow the home team to pull off and with Alpha Kaba’s free throws, score at the half was 42:42.

Excellent defense early in the second half brings plus 5 for Mega after 4 minutes. However, Partizan with a new series took the lead, 53:51. Simeunovic hit three pointer but the home team tied 9 points for plus 8. In the last great attack Novak assisted to Cancar under the rim for 2 plus 1 and 62:57 at the end of the third quarter.

In the last 10 minutes Partizan has consistently maintained an advantage of 2-3 baskets and after three of Bircevic for 78:71 to 3 minutes to play, Mega still managed to answer and lowered to minus 3. Andric then hit three but after the offensive rebound and points of Kaba, the advantage was again reduced to a single possession, 81-78. However, Hatcher hit a key three in the 39th minute after which Mega has failed to get the match so the home team eventually won by 86:79.

Partizan NIS: Robinson 5, Ratkovica 9, Vrabac, Marinkovic 9, Veličković 10, Bircevic 15, Koprivica 2, Andric 8, Hatcher 6, Pot, Karahodzic, Lukovic 12.

Mega Leks: Mushidi 11, Djokovic, Jaramaz 16 (5 assists), Spasojevic, Milisavljevic, Glogovac 4, Kaba 11 (8 rebounds), Zagorac 15 (5 rebounds and 5 assists), Cancar 5, Simeunovic 5, Tejic, Novak 12 (5 assists).

Photo: Mega Leks/Ivica Veselinov