MEGA MIS FALLS AFTER A HARD-FOUGHT BATTLE IN TOUGH AWAY GAME IN PODGORICA

Mega MIS basketball players were unable to pull off an upset against Budućnost VOLI in Podgorica in the 7th round of the ABA League, as they were defeated 69-77 (14-15, 19-25, 24-16, 12-21) despite putting up a tough fight in the Morača Arena. Marko Barać’s team stayed within striking distance of the favored home side throughout, even managing to take the lead in the third quarter, but the more experienced team from Montenegro’s capital pulled away in the decisive fourth quarter to claim victory. Mega MIS now holds a 4-3 record after seven rounds, while Budućnost improves to 6-1.

Bogoljub Marković had another outstanding game, finishing with a double-double of 12 points and 15 rebounds. He also contributed four assists, earning the highest PIR of the game at 26. The team’s top scorer was Kosta Kondić with 19 points, while Jack Kayil added 14 points and made six steals, finishing as Mega MIS’s second-most efficient player with a PIR of 17.

For Budućnost, Yogi Ferrell scored 16 points, Ognjen Kamenjaš added 13, and Đorđije Jovanović contributed 11.

From the start, it was a fairly balanced game. The home team led for most of the first quarter, but the difference never exceeded three points, and the quarter ended with Budućnost narrowly ahead at 15-14. Mega MIS continued to keep close in the following period but couldn’t manage to take the lead. The Montenegrin side pulled away toward the end of the second quarter, building a nine-point lead. However, a last-second score from Marković cut the deficit to seven, leaving the score at 40-33 after 20 minutes in Morača.

The third quarter saw an even stronger showing from Mega, who tied the game within just three and a half minutes with a 9-2 run. They took the lead midway through the quarter with a three-pointer from Kondić (47-49). Budućnost regained the advantage, and the teams battled until the end of the third, with Mega MIS entering the final break with a lead, thanks to a three-pointer from Kyle (56-57). However, the more experienced team quickly created a seven-point cushion in the fourth quarter within the first four minutes. Mega tried various ways to come back, but they ultimately fell short and left Podgorica without an upset.

In the next, eighth round of the ABA League, Mega MIS will host Crvena Zvezda at the Ranko Žeravica Sports Hall on Sunday, November 10, at 1:00 PM.

Mega MIS: Kondić 19, Jelavić 4 (9 reb), Vukčević, Marković 12 (15 reb, 4 ast, PIR 26), Kayil 14 (6 stl, PIR 17), Kroflič, Macura 2, Milijašević, Jović 8, Tanasković, Petrović 8, Malovec 2 (5 reb)

Budućnost: Sulaimon 6, Ilić 6, Magee 4, Slavković 5, Tanasković 9, Ferrell 16, Jovanović 11, Drežnjak, Omić, Wright 7, Azubuike, Kamenjaš 13

Foto: Budućnost VOLI/Filip Roganović