MEGA FOUGHT TO THE END BUT NOT ENOUGH PRECISE FOR THE SURPRISE IN LJUBLJANA

Mega fought to the end, missed threes for defeat in Ljubljana!

Mega Mozzart lost in the game of the 22nd round of the ABA League in Ljubljana to Cedevita Olimpija with 92:81 (31:24, 18:17, 17:18, 26:22). Coach Vladimir Jovanovic’s team returned to the game on several occasions from a double-digit deficit, but in the end, a large number of missed shots for 3 (6 three-pointers from 30 attempts) cost them the opportunity to make a surprise in the Stozice hall.

Nikola Djurisic was the most efficient in the ranks of Mega with 16 points, as well as Karlo Matkovic and Borisa Simanic with 15. Edo Muric was the most efficient in Cedevita Olimpija with 16 points.

After 22 rounds of the ABA league, Mega Mozzart has a score of 8-13 with a game less, while Cedevita Olimpija has 13 wins and 7 losses. Mega Mozzart will play the next game on Sunday, March 20, at 12 o’clock, when Ranko Zeravica sports hall will host Mornar.

Mega started the match with Smith, Djurisic, Jovic, Simanic and Matkovic. Djurisic hit a three-pointer at the beginning, and with Matkovic’s points and Simanic’s three, Mega reached a 10:12 advantage. A run of 12:0 of the home team followed, with several offensive rebounds that the Mega players did not guard well. Mega’s players have big problems in defense, especially with Muric, who scored 14 points in the first section. However, Mega manages to connect the defense and reduce the gap to 7 points by the end of the quarter, 31:24.

Rudan is in the mood at the beginning of the second quarter, so Mega came up to 4 points, 34:30. Good defense of Mega, who is one point behind with Djurisic’s triple, but the home team fights back with a run of 13:0 and returns the double-digit advantage, 49:35. Jovic interrupts the run of Cedevita Olimpija with two good drives, so that Mega with points from Đurišić came to 49:41 at the half-time.

Mega’s two lost balls at the beginning of the second quarter were punished by the home team which reached plus 13. A great dunk by Rudan followed, and after a few minutes, Mega came close to six points with a triple of Simanic, 58:52. However, the home team used a few missed open shots by Mega to regain a double-digit advantage. Again, Mega did not gave up, managed to stay in the game and with Simanic’s free throws, reduced the difference to 7 points before the last quarter, 66:59.

Djurisic and Simanic bring Mega to only 4 points behind, but deconcentration in the game followed and then the lost balls, so Cedevita Olimpija goes to 79:70 at 5 and a half minutes from the end. Matkovic and Djurisic return the uncertainty with new points for a short time, but new misses for 3 points (6 out of 30 in total) cost Mega a chance to bring the game to an uncertain end, so Cedevita Olimpija finally celebrated with 92:81.

Cedevita Olimpija: Pullen 12, Ferrell 14, Duscak, Muric 16 (8 rebounds), Auguste 6, Blazic 14, Hodzic 3, Scuka, Omic 12 (12 rebounds), Dragic 13, Radovanovic 12, Habot.

Mega Mozzart: Vujic, Ruzhentsev 2, Jovic 9, Rudan 14, Uskokovic 4, Kocovic, Smith 2, Cerovina 2, Matkovic 15 (12 rebounds), Djurisic 16, Simanic 15 (3 blocks), Musikic 2.

Photo: Cedevita Olimpija/Ales Fevzer