MEGA MIS SUFFERS FIRST LOSS OF THE SEASON IN SPLIT

After four consecutive wins at the start of the 2024/25 ABA League season, Mega MIS basketball players suffered their first defeat, losing to Split 90:80 (28:20, 20:20, 24:22, 18:18) at the Gripe Sports Hall. Marko Barać’s team trailed from the first quarter, fighting hard and trying in every way to break down their opponent’s resistance, but the more experienced Split team held onto the lead. They withstood Mega’s surge in the fourth quarter and ultimately secured their second win of the season (2-3). Mega MIS now holds a 4-1 record after their first loss.

Kosta Kondić led the way for Mega MIS with 19 points, while Bogoljub Marković delivered an outstanding double-double performance with 18 points and an impressive 17 rebounds, finishing with an efficiency index of 37. They were followed by Filip Jović with 12 points and Mihailo Petrović, who added 11 points and eight assists.

For Split, Shannon Shorter was the top scorer with 22 points, David Skara added 19, while Antonio Jordano scored 14, Vito Kučić 13, and Borna Kapusta chipped in with 12 points.

After an initial feeling-out period, the home team surged ahead to lead 15:6 midway through the first quarter. Mega responded with three-pointers to halt Split’s run and cut the deficit, but the first break ended with Split leading 28:20. Split maintained their advantage and even gained a double-digit lead, but Barać’s team responded again in time. Still, the end of the first half went in favor of the home team, which led 48:40 after 20 minutes.

A similar scenario unfolded after the break. Split stayed in front, while Mega refused to surrender, but they couldn’t reduce the deficit to single digits heading into the final quarter (72:62). Mega MIS got within seven points in the fourth quarter, but Split found ways to maintain their lead. They pulled ahead by 14 points with two and a half minutes left, preserved the lead, and claimed victory.

In the next, sixth round of the ABA League, Mega MIS will host Igokea at the Ranko Žeravica Sports Hall. The game is scheduled for Sunday, October 27, at 12:00 PM.

Mega MIS: Kondić 19, Jelavić 8, Vukčević, Marković 18 (17 rebs, ind 37), Kayil 8, Kroflič, Macura, Milijašević, Jović 12, Tanasković, Petrović 11 (8 asts), Malovec 4

Split: Shorter 22, Jordano 14, Katić, Klepo, Kučić 13, Vuko 3, Perkušić, Skara 19, Pavin, Benson, Kapusta 12, Ljubičić 7

Photo: ABA League/Dragana Stjepanović