MEGA MIS BEATS PARTIZAN WITH BUZZER-BEATING SHOT

Mega MIS players bravely challenged the defending ABA League champions, Partizan Mozzart Bet, and secured a significant victory with a buzzer-beater – 88:86 (21:11, 19:18, 29:32, 19:25). Marko Barać’s team played brilliantly and held the lead for most of the game, even leading by as much as 20 points in the third quarter. However, the Serbian representative in the EuroLeague and the current Adriatic champion managed to bring the match into a suspenseful ending. Mega had the final possession, the opportunity to secure a major victory, and they succeeded. After a hard-fought battle, the ball passed through the hoop at the sound of the buzzer, leading to a jubilant atmosphere for the home team at the Ranko Žeravica Sports Hall. With this, after four rounds of regional competition, Mega MIS holds a record of 2-2, while Partizan suffered its first defeat and now stands at 1-3.

Nikola Đurišić was the highest scorer for the victorious team with 17 points. Uroš Plavšić earned the honor of being the player of the match, ending with 15 points and six rebounds for a PIR of 19. Nikola Topić was once again close to a double-double with 14 points and eight assists, while Jelavić was one point short of achieving the same feat, finishing with 10 rebounds. Timotej Malovec also recorded double digits with 10 points.

For Partizan, Aleksa Avramović led with 26 points, followed closely by Frank Kaminsky with 24 points. James Nunnally was the only other player in double digits with 11 points.

Barać’s players opened the match brilliantly, taking an early 8-2 lead. Although the opponents briefly responded, Mega established control and led 17-4 after seven and a half minutes of play. Partizan managed to string together some good attacks towards the end of the quarter, but the first period ended with a score of 21-11 in favor of the hosts. Mega continued to play well after the break and scored five consecutive points, but then faced a series of attacks from the visitors, who reduced the deficit to just five points (28:23) after five minutes of play in the second quarter. However, Malovec responded with five points of his own, and Barać’s team once again held a double-digit lead. After Topić and Plavšić contributed points, their lead extended to 15 points. After 20 minutes of play, the scoreboard at the Ranko Žeravica Sports Hall showed 40:29 in favor of Mega MIS.

Upon returning from the break, a reaction was expected from the defending champions, but Mega continued to maintain control. They increased their lead to a whopping 20 points within two and a half minutes. The black and whites managed to respond, but the home team mostly maintained a double-digit advantage. However, towards the end of the quarter, Partizan managed to reduce the deficit to six points, and the teams headed into the final break with a score of 69:61 in favor of Barać’s young team. Mega’s players fought hard, but in the decisive period, the quality of the Belgrade EuroLeague team began to shine through. In just three minutes, the guests narrowed the gap to just one point (74:73). The host resisted the opponent’s strong surge, but with just under two minutes to go, Partizan managed to tie the game. Following that, crucial points were scored by Iljasolu and Malovec, but the black and whites once again equalized with 17 seconds left. Mega had the final possession, the opportunity to bring down the current champion, and after a fierce battle and Plavšić’s efforts under the opponent’s basket, they secured the triumph with points in the final moments of the match.

Mega MIS: Paunović, Miljenović 5, Jelavić 9 (10 rebounds), Kobzystyi, Popović, Ilyasoglu 9, Đurišić 17, Kovačević 2, Janković 7 (5 rebounds), Plavšić 15 (6 rebounds, 19 PIR), Topić 14 (8 assists), Malovec 10.

Partizan: Vukčević, LeDay 7, Avramović 26, Koprivica 4, Punter, Smailagić 5, Jaramaz 2, Nunnally 11, Trifunović, Anđušić, Dozier 7, Kaminsky 24.

Following the significant victory against Partizan, Mega MIS will face the Budućnost team in the fifth round of the ABA League. The match at the Morača Sports Center is scheduled for Saturday, October 28th, at 19:00.

Photo: Mega MIS/Dragana Stjepanović