MEGA SUPERBET LOSES TO PARTIZAN IN THE RADIVOJ KORAĆ CUP SEMIFINAL

The Mega Superbet basketball team was unable to overcome Partizan, and their participation in the Radivoj Korać Cup, held at the Čair Hall in Niš, came to an end in the semifinals with a 83-63 loss (22:31, 11:18, 18:15, 12:19). Marko Barać’s team fought until the last moment, playing excellently for most of the third quarter when they halved their double-digit deficit. However, the opponent pulled away in the final minutes of the period. Mega tried every way to get back into the game, but they couldn’t, and their journey to the Radivoj Korać Cup final ended just one step short.

The best player for Mega Superbet was Bogoljub Marković, who recorded a double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds. The talented player had a performance index of 26, making him the most efficient player in the game. Filip Jović and Stefan Miljenović each scored 10 points, while Kosta Kondić added 9, and Ilija Milijašević chipped in 6.

Partizan’s top scorer was Duane Washington with 17 points. Sterling Brown scored 13, and Aleksej Pokuševski added 12.

The game started openly and attractively. Partizan had a slight lead, but Mega Superbet managed to keep pace, and midway through the first quarter, the score was 16-15 in favor of Partizan. However, the final minutes of the first quarter went to Partizan, who pulled ahead to a 31-22 lead after 10 minutes. Mega struggled to respond in the second quarter, and the difference grew to double digits. Partizan led by as much as 19 points at one point, but Milijašević hit a three-pointer near the end of the first half, signaling a potential comeback by Mega (49-33).

And that’s exactly what happened. With a 13-2 run, Mega halved their deficit, and suddenly the score was 53-46 — Partizan only scored four points in over five minutes during the third quarter. However, the remainder of the quarter went in Partizan’s favor, and they extended their lead to 64-51 heading into the final period. Mega fought hard to make a comeback, with Marković and his teammates trying their best, but Partizan kept their distance and eventually increased their lead to secure the victory. As a result, Mega Superbet ended their participation in the Radivoj Korać Cup in the semifinals.

Mega Superbet players will now have a short break before returning to the court in early March for round 21 of the ABA League, where they will face Igokea in Laktaši.

Mega Superbet: Kondić 9, Miljenović 10, Jelavić 2 (5 reb), Vukčević, Marković 20 (11 reb), Macura, Milijašević 6, Milutinović, Jović 10 (5 reb), Tanasković, Petrović 2 (8 as), Malovec 4

Partizan: C. Jones 10, Washington 17, Koprivica 7, Nakić 3, Bošnjaković 9, Marinković 2, Pokuševski 12, Brown 13, Lakić 2, Dimitrijević, Danilović, T. Jones 6

Photo: Dragana Stjepanović/KSS