MEGA MIS SECURES RECORD SIXTH CONSECUTIVE WIN IN ABA LEAGUE TO JUMP TO FOURTH PLACE
Mega MIS basketball players continued their excellent performance in the ABA League, as they defeated Split in the penultimate 25th round at the Dejan Milojević Training Center with a score of 92-78 (22:25, 27:17, 25:19, 18:17). Under the guidance of coach Marko Barać, Mega MIS established control midway through the second quarter, continued with excellent play in the third quarter, and entered the last 10 minutes with a 13-point lead. Although Split managed to reduce the deficit to single digits several times during the decisive 10 minutes, they couldn’t seriously threaten Mega’s lead. Mega MIS maintained control and secured a record-breaking sixth consecutive victory in the regional competition, improving their record to 15-10 and climbing to fourth place in the standings, which ensures home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. After the loss in Belgrade, Split’s record stands at 11-14.
Nikola Đurišić confirmed his excellent form, achieving a career-high in the ABA League with 31 points (PIR 30) against Split. However, the title of the most valuable player of the match went to Stefan Miljenović, who finished with 20 points, eight rebounds, and an impressive eight drawn fouls, for a PIR of 36. Andrija Jelavić contributed 12 points and five rebounds.
For Split, Derek Funderburk stood out with 25 points, supported by Toni Perković with 14 points and Shannon Shorter with 11 points.
Mega started the game well and took a 9-4 lead in less than three minutes, but Split responded quickly and turned the score around (11-12). The game remained tight until the last two minutes of the quarter when Split managed to extend their lead to 20-25. However, Mega narrowed the gap to three points before the first break. Split briefly regained a significant lead, leading 24-33 seven minutes before halftime, but then Marko Barać’s players took control. Đurišić hit three three-pointers, followed by Miljenović, and the hosts quickly turned the game around. Mega continued to play well and led by eight points with just over a minute left in the first half, taking a 49-42 lead into halftime.
Although Split started the third quarter well, Mega MIS quickly regained control and once again took the lead, reaching a double-digit advantage after a dunk by Plavšić in the 23rd minute of the game (59-48). Mega then extended their lead to 15 points, leading 74-61 after 30 minutes of play. Split managed to reduce the deficit to single digits in the decisive period, but Mega maintained their lead and, after five consecutive points from Đurišić, led comfortably 82-69 with less than six and a half minutes left in the game. The guests couldn’t respond, and Mega MIS secured another convincing victory.
In the final round of the regular season in the ABA League, Mega MIS will visit Igokea in Laktaši. The match is scheduled for Saturday, April 6, at 5:00 PM.
Mega MIS: Milijašević, Miljenović 20 (8 reb, PIR 36), Jelavić 12 (5 reb), Popović, Milutinović, Ilyasoglu 8, Đurišić 31 (PIR 30), Kovačević 4, Plavšić 7 (5 reb), Jović 7, Malovec 3
Split: Funderburk 25, Perković 14, Shorter 11, Sullivan 8, Kalajžić 2, Tišma 3, Runjić, Kučić 4, Vuko 5, Perkušić, Ljubičić 6
Photo: Mega MIS/Ivica Veselinov