HEROIC VICTORY OF MEGA MIS IN LAKTAŠI

What a match in Laktaši, and what a victory for the young basketball players of Mega MIS! They defeated Igokea on the road after overtime 115:109 (24:28, 19:21, 27:22, 32:31, 13:7). Marko Barać’s team opened the match well, but then Dragan Bajić’s more experienced team took control and led until the end of the third period. The home team had a double-digit advantage, but Mega refused to surrender. They turned it around, and it was clear that there would be a big fight in the fourth quarter. The teams went back and forth, and Barac’s players were on the verge of victory, but Igokea managed to survive and fought for overtime after referees called a foul for three free throws on Bryant Crawford in the last seconds. That did not discourage the Mega players; they remained concentrated and calm, gained control in the extra five minutes with long-range shooting, and then in the very end, broke the resistance of their rivals and registered a great triumph.

Mega MIS registered its second consecutive victory and, after 15 rounds, has a 5-10 record. Igokea is from 5-9.

Ahmaad Rorie had the best game in the Mega jersey. He led the team to victory with 27 points, five rebounds, and three assists for a PIR of 34. Matej Rudan added 17 points and captain Luka Cerovina, but with five rebounds and assists for a PIR of 26. Andrija Grbović counted up to 14, as did Nikola Đurišić who also had six assists, while Malcolm Cazalon scored 13 points.

Bryant Crawford led Igokea with 23 points and 12 assists. Nikola Tanasković added a point less, while Nikola Marić scored 16. Kendrick Ray, Stefan Đorđević, and recent Mega basketball player Dragan Milosavljević scored 12 points each in the defeated team.

Mega opened the match well and had an advantage in the opening phase, but the host took control in the middle of the first quarter with six straight points. However, Barac’s players did not allow their rival to break away, so the score was 28:24 in favor of Igokea before the first break. In the continuation, Bajić’s team was mainly in the lead, although Mega managed to equalize after a few minutes of the game but did not have the strength to turn things around. The surplus of the home team was up to seven points, so after the first half, Igokea led 49:43.

There was a big fight after returning from the big break, and Mega equalized again after Đurišić and Grbović triples. The home team stepped up and gained a more significant advantage again, but Mega did not give up even when the deficit reached double digits. They achieved a turnaround at the end of the quarter after three executed free throws by Cerovina. Still, the host regained the minimal advantage before the decisive period with points in the last seconds (71:70).

What followed was a real rollercoaster in the decisive quarter. Igokea regained the advantage, but persistent Mega came back again after attractive moves by Cazalon, Rudan, and Đurišić, as well as several excellent defenses, reached a four-point edge. Still, the finish was dramatic. Rorie stood up, so Barać’s team met at the last minute with a three-point lead. It was uncertain until the end, but Igokea was still in a position to win overtime after Crawford was fouled with less than four seconds left and awarded three free throws. He hit all three, only for Cazalon’s ambitious attempt from Mega’s half with the buzzer to go wide, and it went to extra time.

Rorie and Cazalon opened the extra five minutes with two three-pointers, allowing Mega to take control. They kept the advantage, and after an offensive rebound with 42 seconds left, Mušikić scored the key points and ended the exciting duel in Laktaši. The heroic victory of Mega MIS.

Mega will welcome Zadar in the next round, and the match at the Ranko Žeravica Sports Hall is scheduled for Monday, January 23, from 8:00 p.m.

Mega MIS: Rudan 17, Uskoković 3, Kobzistyi, Cazalon 13, Đurišić 14 (6 assists), Kovačević 6, Cerovina 17, Rorie 29, Grbović 14, Marković, Mušikić 3, Stefanović

Igokea: Ray 12, Nerandžić 2, Delalić, Tanasković 22, Crawford 23, Jošilo 4, Milosavljević 12, Waller 6, Marić 16, Đorđević 12, Bošković

Photo: Igokea/Marija Vuruna