MEGA SUPERBET LOST IN A DIFFICULT AWAY GAME AGAINST CRVENA ZVEZDA

The Mega Superbet basketball team was unable to deliver another surprise, as they lost in the 23rd round of the ABA League as guests to Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet with a score of 72:81 (18:33, 18:16, 13:17, 23:15), following their triumph over Budućnost Voli last week. Marko Barać’s team found themselves trailing by double digits after the first quarter. They tightened their defense in the second half but were unable to significantly reduce the deficit by halftime. The third quarter went to the home team, who pulled away again, and while Mega Superbet fought until the end, they were unable to make a major comeback. After 23 rounds, their record stands at 11-12, while the defending champions improved their record to 18-5.

The most efficient player for Mega Superbet was Stefan Miljenović with 15 points, but the most valuable player was Andrija Jelavić with a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds (index 27). Bogoljub Marković added 13 points and six rebounds, while Mihailo Petrović also recorded 13 points, along with six rebounds and assists.

For Crvena Zvezda, the most efficient player was former Mega player Filip Petrušev with 17 points, while Ajzeja Kenan contributed 12 points, and Nemanja Nedović and Jago dos Santos each scored 11 points.

After a balanced start, the host began to pull away in the middle of the first quarter, reaching a double-digit lead by the end of the period, and the teams went to halftime with a score of 33:18. Barać’s players improved their defense after returning to the court, but despite their efforts, they were unable to reduce the deficit to single digits, and after 20 minutes, Zvezda led 49:36.

Mega Superbet started the second half well, and through Marković and Jelavić, they cut the deficit to single digits (40:49), and even came within seven points after Marković’s three-pointer. However, the Serbian Euroleague team responded, regaining a double-digit lead and further increasing it before the decisive period, leading 66:49. Mega managed to reduce the gap to 11 points with a three-pointer from Malovec after four minutes of play in the final quarter, but the host answered with two three-pointers and pulled away again. Mega Superbet continued to fight, trying to come back until the end, managing to reduce the deficit to seven points, but that was all, and Crvena Zvezda secured the win.

Mega Superbet: Milenković, Miljenović 15, Jelavić 14 (10 reb, index 27), Vukčević, Marković 13 (6 reb), Kroflič, Milijašević 6, Milutinović, Srzentić, Jović 6, Petrović 13 (6 reb, 6 as), Malovec 5

Crvena Zvezda: Miler Mekintajer 2, Braun 4, Kenan 12, Davidovac 5, Lazić 4, Kalinić 8, Dobrić 2, Petrušev 17, Gedraitis 5, Nedović 11, Kostić, Dos Santos 11

In the upcoming 24th round of the ABA League, Mega Superbet will face Cedevita Olimpija. The match at the Ranko Žeravica Sports Hall is scheduled for Sunday, March 23, at 12:00.

Photo by: ABA League/Dragana Stjepanović