MEGA MIS SECURES A BIG COMEBACK WIN IN PODGORICA

Mega MIS basketball players closed out 2024 in the best possible way, defeating SC Derby 82:77 (17:20, 24:24, 23:19, 18:14) at the Morača Sports Center. Marko Barać’s team trailed after 20 minutes of play but managed to turn things around late in the third quarter. They built a lead in the early part of the decisive period and preserved it with gritty play on both ends of the court, earning an important victory. Mega MIS now heads into 2025 with an 8-6 record in the regional competition, while SC Derby stands at 4-10 after 14 games.

Bogoljub Marković delivered another stellar performance, recording a double-double with 21 points and 12 rebounds, finishing as the game’s most valuable player with an index rating of 25. Mihailo Petrović also shone, particularly in the closing stages, finishing with 14 points, seven assists, and six rebounds (index 21). Jack Kyle contributed 13 points, seven rebounds, and five assists (index 19), while Filip Jović was on the verge of a double-double with 13 points and eight rebounds. Andrija Jelavić added 11 points to the tally.

SC Derby was led by Igor Drobnjak with 19 points, while Luka Bogavac and Erick Neal chipped in with 15 points each.

Mega MIS started strong with a 9-0 run, taking an 11:5 lead early in the game. However, SC Derby responded decisively, turning the score around to win the first quarter 20:17. The hosts doubled their lead early in the second period, but Barać’s timely timeout stopped their momentum. The battle continued, and SC Derby maintained a narrow advantage, leading 44:41 at halftime.

At the start of the third quarter, SC Derby extended their lead to 51:44, but Mega MIS once again responded from the bench. A key three-pointer by Kondić tied the game at 59:59 two minutes before the final break. Mega MIS then completed the turnaround and entered the decisive quarter with a narrow 64:63 lead.

Mega opened the fourth quarter well, building a five-point advantage after a three-pointer by Jović. SC Derby briefly closed the gap to a single point, but following another timeout, Petrović helped Mega pull ahead to a 75:68 lead with five minutes remaining. Despite SC Derby’s relentless attempts to regain control, Mega MIS held firm with determined play on both ends and secured a hard-fought victory on the road.

This marked Mega MIS’s final game of 2024. They will open 2025 by hosting Partizan in the 15th round of the ABA League. The game is scheduled for Monday, January 6th, at 12:00 PM in the Aleksandar Nikolić Hall, with tickets already available for purchase.

Mega MIS: Milenković, Kondić 5, Jelavić 11, Marković 21 (12 rebs, PIR 25), Kyle 13 (7 rebs, 5 ast, PIR 19), Kroflić, Macura 2, Milijašević, Jović 13 (8 rebs), Tanasković, Petrović 14 (7 ast, 6 rebs, PIR 21), Malovec 3 (5 rebs)

SC Derby: Sudar, Neal 15, Pavlićević 6, Anđušić 4, Bogdanović, Hadžibegović 2, Vučeljić, Grbović 6, Nikolić 2, Drobnjak 19, Bogavac 15, Mirković 8

Photo: SC Derby/Filip Roganović