MEGA MIS LOSES TO KRKA AFTER A TURNAROUND IN THE LAST QUARTER

Mega MIS basketball team couldn’t secure a third consecutive victory as they lost to Krka 72-77 (21:13, 21:19, 19:27, 11:18) in the 8th round of the ABA League at the Ranko Žeravica Sports Hall. Under the guidance of coach Marko Barać, Mega MIS had control of the game in the first half, enjoying a double-digit lead after the opening two quarters. However, the guests from Novo Mesto managed to overturn the result in the third quarter, setting the stage for a tense finish. A fierce battle ensued until the last moment, with Mega managing to regain the lead. Unfortunately, luck eluded them in the final moments, allowing the opponents to secure a victory after yet another comeback. Mega MIS now has a 4-4 record, while Krka notched their second triumph (2-6).

Uroš Plavšić recorded another double-double with 16 points and 13 rebounds, resulting in a PIR of 17. However, the most valuable player for Mega was Nikoli Janković, contributing 11 points and seven rebounds with only one missed shot from the field, earning a PIR of 20. Nikola Topić concluded the match with 16 points, while Nikola Đurišić also reached double digits with 11.

The hero for Krka, scoring 25 points, was Leon Stergar, accompanied by Jan Špan with 16 and Jurij Macura with 14 points.

Mega started the game slightly better, taking a 12-6 lead after five consecutive points from Topić. They maintained their advantage, and with four straight points from Plavšić in the last 13 seconds of the opening quarter, they comfortably led 21-13. Despite Krka putting up strong resistance in the following quarter, Mega managed to stay in the lead. After six consecutive points from Janković, they extended their lead, and a three-pointer from Ilyasoglu a minute and a half before the break gave them a double-digit advantage. Đurišić preserved it with a precise shot from a distance, resulting in a 42-32 score at halftime.

However, after returning from the break, the guests started aggressively, hitting a series of three-pointers to close the gap. In the middle of the third quarter, they even managed to overturn the score. Mega responded, and after Topić’s three-pointer regained the lead. After a precise shot from Ilyasoglu, they briefly led 59-54, appearing on track to establish a significant lead once again. Nevertheless, the guests persisted, and entering the decisive period, there was only a two-point advantage for the home team. Plavšić maintained Mega’s lead with a series of free throws, but the guests then overturned the score again with a 10-2 run. Mega attempted a comeback, the ball rimmed out several times, and in the end, the guests, with a bit of luck, preserved their lead in the final moments.

In the next round of the ABA League, Mega MIS will visit Cibona in Zagreb on Friday, November 24, at 18:00.

Mega MIS: Miljenović 2, Jelavić 6 (7 rebounds), Kobzstyi, Popović, Milutinović, Ilyasoglu 6, Đurišić 11, Kovačević 2, Janković 11 (7 rebounds, PIR 20), Plavšić 16 (13 rebounds, PIR 17), Topić 16, Malovec 2

Krka: Stergar 25, Bobnar, Bačvić, Cerkvenik 5, Cousins 6, Jurković 5, Špan 16, Škedelj 2, Radovanović 4, Macura 14

Photo: Mega MIS/Ivica Veselinov