MEGA MIS PUT UP A GOOD FIGHT, BUT LOST TO PARTIZAN IN THE SEMIFINAL SERIES OPENER OF THE SUPERLEAGUE

Mega MIS basketball players put up a good fight at the start of the semifinal series of the Serbian Superleague, but they couldn’t surprise Partizan Mozzart Bet in an away game, losing 82-72 (22-22, 18-20, 23-13, 19-17). Marko Barać’s team found themselves in a double-digit deficit in the middle of the first quarter but managed to equalize by the end of the period with a great series, and after an even battle in the second quarter, they had a two-point lead at halftime. Partizan then managed to pull away in the third quarter. Mega didn’t give up, tried in every way to come back, and managed to close the gap in the last two minutes, but didn’t have the strength for a big comeback, thus losing the first game in the semifinal series, which was played to two wins, 0-1.

The most effective player for Mega MIS was Filip Jović, who scored 15 points and five rebounds, while Nikola Đurišić added 14 points and seven assists. Petar Kovačević recorded 12 points and six rebounds, while Omerdžan Ilyasoglu finished the game with 12 points and seven assists. Bogoljub Marković fought well on the boards, collecting 12 rebounds and scoring five points.

For Partizan, Uroš Trifunović stood out with 23 points, Aleksa Avramović added 16, and Kevin Punter scored 15 points.

The hosts opened the game better and led 9-2 after less than three minutes, but Mega responded with several good attacks and caught up. However, Partizan pulled away again and gained a double-digit lead, but Barać’s players closed the opening quarter excellently and equalized with an 11-0 run (22-22). As expected, there was a tough battle in the second quarter. The teams exchanged leads, and Mega reached a turnaround with four consecutive points from Kovačević, going into the break with a two-point lead (40-42).

Mega MIS started the third quarter well, but the home team responded, took control with a series of points, and gained a double-digit lead by the end of the quarter. After points from Đurišić, the scoreboard showed 63-55 going into the final 10 minutes. Barać’s team didn’t wave the white flag. They continued to fight and closed the gap after a three-pointer by Iljasolu entering the last two minutes (74-69), but Partizan managed to fend off Mega’s rally and brought the game to a victorious end.

The second match of the Serbian Superleague semifinals is scheduled for Monday, May 27, at 20:00, and Mega MIS will host Partizan at TC Dejan Milojević. Due to the hall’s limited capacity, tickets will not be on sale but will be distributed to club friends and sponsors.

If Mega MIS wins and ties the series, the third match will be played on Thursday, May 30, at 18:00, with Partizan being the host in the Belgrade Arena again.

Mega MIS: Philips 2, Milijašević 2, Jelavić 5, Marković 5 (12 rebs), Popović, Ilyasoglu 12 (7 ast), Đurišić 14 (7 ast), Kovačević 12 (6 rebs), Petrović, Jović 15 (5 rebs), Mušicki, Malovec

Partizan: Smith 3, LeDay 7, Drezgić, Avramović 16, Punter 15, Smailagić 6, Jaramaz, Dimitrijević, Trifunović 23, Ponitka 7, Caboclo 5

Photo: KK Partizan/Dragana Stjepanović