Basketball News, Scores, Stats, Analysis, Standings

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Fourteenth-ranked Slovenian Krka (4-17) made lots of trouble for second ranked Serbian Partizan (19-2) in Novo Mesto on Sunday. The visitors from Beograd managed to secure only two-point victory 79-77. However their fans expected much easier game. Partizan dominated down low during the game scoring 50 of its points in the paint compared to Krka‘s 30. Partizan forced 20 Krka turnovers. The best player for the winners was South Sudanese point guard Carlik Jones (185-1997, college: Louisville) who scored 17 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists. Forward Aleksej Pokusevski (213-2001) chipped in 14 points and 5 rebounds (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field). Partizan’s coach used an eleven-player rotation in such tough game. At the other side the best for losing team was American guard Tayler Persons (191-1995, college: Ball St., agency: Players Group) who recorded a double-double by scoring 22 points and 10 assists. Partizan have an impressive series of eight victories in a row. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Buducnost. Krka lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the fourteenth place with 17 games lost. Partizan’s supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Beograd FMP BG.
Montenegrin leader Buducnost delivered the nineteenth victory. This time they beat 6th ranked Slovenian Cedevita Ol. (12-9) 95-78 in Podgorica. It was a good game for American point guard McKinley Wright IV (182-1998, college: Colorado) who led his team to a victory with 18 points and 6 assists. Kenan Kamenjas contributed with 16 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. American DJ Stewart Jr (197-1999, college: MSU) answered with 24 points for Cedevita Ol.Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The victory was the twelfth consecutive win for Buducnost. Defending Montenegrin champion maintains first place with 19-2 record, which they share with Partizan. Defending Slovenian champion Cedevita Ol. keeps the sixth position with nine games lost. Buducnost will play against Mega BG (#9) in Beograd in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Cedevita Ol. will play at home against Crvena zvezda and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Ninth-ranked Serbian Mega BG (10-11) made lots of trouble for fifth ranked Bosnian Igokea (14-8) in Aleksandrovac on Sunday. Igokea managed to secure only three-point victory 90-87. However their fans expected much easier game. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Mega BG. Bryce Jones stepped up and scored 30 points and 5 rebounds (went 7 for 7 at the free throw line) for the winners. The best for the losing side was Bogoljub Markovic with 14 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Defending Bosnian champion maintains fifth place with 14-8 record. Mega BG at the other side keeps the ninth position with 11 games lost. They share it with Zadar. Igokea will meet Borac (#11) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Mega BG will play against the league’s leader Buducnost and hope to secure a win.

Other games of round 21 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Zadar was defeated by Crvena zvezda in Beograd 87-76. Split beat Borac at home 70-59. Spartak won against Mornar on the opponent’s court 76-66. Dubai outscored Cibona in a home game 90-61. Derby was rolled over FMP BG on the road 78-55.

Crvena zvezda – Zadar 87-76

There was no surprise in Beograd where 9th ranked Croatian Zadar (10-11) was defeated by third ranked Serbian Crvena zvezda (17-4) 87-76 on Sunday. Crvena zvezda looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. Center Filip Petrusev (211-2000, college: Gonzaga) stepped up and scored 20 points and 5 rebounds for the winners and forward Nikola Kalinic (202-1991) chipped in 12 points and 6 rebounds. Crvena zvezda’s coach used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. The best for the losing side was Toni Torbarina (182-2006) with 18 points and 5 assists and power forward Karlo Zganec (206-1995, agency: PEPI SPORT) scored 4 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists. Four Zadar players scored in double figures. Defending Serbian champion maintains third place with 17-4 record having just two points less than leader Buducnost. Zadar lost their third game in a row. Defending Croatian champion keeps the ninth position with 11 games lost. They share it with Mega BG. Crvena zvezda will meet Cedevita Ol. (#6) in the next round. Zadar will play against Krka and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Crvena zvezda: F.Petrusev 20+5reb, I.Canaan 14+2ast, N.Kalinic 12+6reb+3ast, O.Dobric 9+1reb+4ast, R.Giedraitis 8+5reb, N.Nedovic 5+1reb+8ast
Zadar: T.Torbarina 18+4reb+5ast, K.Klarica 13+2reb+2ast, M.Bakovic 12+4reb, D.Gilbert 11+4reb+3ast, L.Mazalin 8+5reb, M.Ramljak 5+3reb+1ast

gschID: 1179999

Buducnost – Cedevita Ol. 95-78

Montenegrin leader Buducnost delivered the nineteenth victory. This time they beat 6th ranked Slovenian Cedevita Ol. (12-9) 95-78 in Podgorica. Buducnost dominated down low during the game scoring 52 of its points in the paint compared to Cedevita Ol.‘s 30 and made 19-of-22 charity shots (86.4 percent) during the game. It was a good game for American point guard McKinley Wright IV (182-1998, college: Colorado) who led his team to a victory with 18 points and 6 assists. Bosnian center Kenan Kamenjas (207-2000) contributed with 16 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. Five Buducnost players scored in double figures. American DJ Stewart Jr (197-1999, college: MSU) answered with 24 points and point guard Aleksej Nikolic (191-1995) added 14 points and 4 assists in the effort for Cedevita Ol.Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The victory was the twelfth consecutive win for Buducnost. Defending Montenegrin champion maintains first place with 19-2 record, which they share with Partizan. Defending Slovenian champion Cedevita Ol. keeps the sixth position with nine games lost. Buducnost will play against Mega BG (#9) in Beograd in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Cedevita Ol. will play at home against Crvena zvezda and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Buducnost: M.Wright IV 18+2reb+6ast, K.Kamenjas 16+8reb, Y.Ferrell 16+4reb+2ast, R.Sulaimon 13+3reb+5ast, N.Tanaskovic 11+3reb, F.Magee 9+2reb
Cedevita Ol.: D.Stewart Jr. 24+3reb, A.Nikolic 14+4reb+4ast, B.Lemar 13+2reb+5ast, D.Robinson 9+2reb, J.Blazic 7+3reb, D.Jones 4+1ast

gschID: 1180000

Igokea – Mega BG 90-87

Ninth-ranked Serbian Mega BG (10-11) made lots of trouble for fifth ranked Bosnian Igokea (14-8) in Aleksandrovac on Sunday. Igokea managed to secure only three-point victory 90-87. However their fans expected much easier game. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Mega BG. Igokea made 21-of-25 free shots (84.0 percent) during the game. American point guard Bryce Jones (183-1994, college: Murray St.) stepped up and scored 30 points and 5 rebounds (went 7 for 7 at the free throw line) for the winners and Serbian Dragan Milosavljevic (198-1989) chipped in 17 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. Jones is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. The best for the losing side was forward Bogoljub Markovic (210-2005) with 14 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists and Croatian forward Andrija Jelavic (207-2004) scored 12 points and 6 rebounds. Four Igokea and five Mega BG players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Defending Bosnian champion maintains fifth place with 14-8 record. Mega BG at the other side keeps the ninth position with 11 games lost. They share it with Zadar. Igokea will meet Borac (#11) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Mega BG will play against the league’s leader Buducnost and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Igokea: B.Jones 30+5reb+3ast, D.Milosavljevic 17+6reb+6ast, V.Pusica 11+1reb, N.Maric 10+4reb, T.Carter II 6+3reb, M.Jeremic 5+2ast
Mega BG: M.Petrovic 15+3ast, K.Kondic 14+3reb+2ast, B.Markovic 14+7reb+6ast, A.Jelavic 12+6reb+2ast, F.Jovic 11+2reb+2ast, S.Miljenovic 9+4ast

gschID: 1180001

Split – Borac CA 70-59

There was a small surprise when thirteenth ranked Croatian Split (7-14) defeated at home 11th ranked Serbian Borac (8-13) 70-59 on Monday. Split forced 19 Borac turnovers. Forward David Skara (203-1995, college: Clemson) stepped up and scored 17 points and 6 rebounds for the winners and American Shannon Shorter (193-1989, college: N.Texas) chipped in 9 points and 5 rebounds. Split’s coach allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. The best for the losing side was American point guard Diante Baldwin (182-1994, college: UNCG) with 13 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists and Lithuanian forward Justas Furmanavicius (199-1994, college: Ole Miss) scored 11 points and 5 rebounds. Split moved-up to twelfth place, which they share with Derby. Loser Borac CA keeps the eleventh position with 13 games lost. Split will meet higher ranked Spartak (#7) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Borac will play against Igokea (#5) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Split: D.Skara 17+6reb, A.Jordano 10+2ast, S.Shorter 9+5reb+3ast, K.Ljubicic 8+5reb+1ast, T.Vuko 6+5reb+3ast, V.Kucic 6+2reb+3ast
Borac CA: D.Baldwin 13+5reb+4ast, J.Furmanavicius 11+5reb+2ast, P.Valinskas 9+5reb, N.Manojlovic 7+2reb, M.Josilo 6+7reb+3ast, P.Nikolic 6+2reb+2ast

gschID: 1180002

Mornar – Spartak 66-76

Very expected game in Bar where 16th ranked Montenegrin Mornar (1-21) was defeated by eighth ranked Serbian Spartak (11-10) 76-66 on Friday. Forward Luka Cerovina (201-2000) stepped up and scored 28 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists (on 9-of-10 shooting from the field) for the winners and Canadian point guard Kaza Kajami-Keane (185-1994, college: Carleton) chipped in 12 points and 7 assists. Spartak’s coach allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. The best for the losing side was Croatian swingman Lovre Runjic (197-2000) with 14 points and 6 rebounds and Croatian point guard Roko Rogic (187-1992) scored 8 points and 8 assists. Four Mornar players scored in double figures. Spartak moved-up to seventh place, which they share with FMP BG. Mornar lost their fifteenth game in a row. They stay dead last with 21 lost games. Spartak will meet at home Split (#12) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Mornar will play against Cibona (#15) in Zagreb and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Spartak: L.Cerovina 28+9reb+4ast, K.Kajami-Keane 12+1reb+7ast, D.Ilic 12+8reb, D.Miletic 7+5reb, U.Gibson 5+3ast, M.Milisavljevic 5+1reb
Mornar: L.Runjic 14+6reb+3ast, L.Buljevic 12+4reb, D.Pember 12+4reb+2ast, J.Smith 10+5reb, R.Rogic 8+4reb+8ast, A.Cubic 6+1reb

gschID: 1180003

Dubai – Cibona 90-61

Very predictable result when fourth ranked UAE Dubai (16-5) outscored at home 15th ranked Croatian Cibona (3-18) 90-61 on Sunday. Dubai looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Slovenian Klemen Prepelic (191-1992) stepped up and scored 14 points for the winners and American point guard Nate Mason (188-1995, college: Minnesota) chipped in 9 points and 7 assists. The best for the losing side was Luka Skoric (204-2003) with 9 points and Bosnian-Croatian center Robert Rikic (219-1990) scored 9 points. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. The victory was the fourth consecutive win for Dubai. They maintain fourth place with 16-5 record. Loser Cibona keeps the fifteenth position with 18 games lost. Dubai will meet Derby (#13) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Cibona will play against Mornar and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Dubai: K.Prepelic 14+3ast, A.Abass 12+4reb, N.Dangubic 12+4reb, N.Mason 9+1reb+7ast, J.Boutsiele 9+4reb, D.Bertans 9+5reb+1ast
Cibona: I.Perasovic 11+2reb, R.Rikic 9+4reb+1ast, L.Skoric 9+4reb+3ast, I.Majcunic 8+3reb+1ast, P.Jok 6+2reb+3ast, D.Vukovic 5+5reb+3ast

gschID: 1180004

FMP BG – Derby 78-55

Not a big story in a game in Beograd where 12th ranked Montenegrin Derby (7-14) was outplayed by tenth ranked Serbian FMP BG (11-10) 78-55 on Sunday. American guard Joshua Scott (185-1998, college: Thomas Univ.) stepped up and scored 22 points for the winners and his fellow American import center Jake Stephens (213-1999, college: Chattanooga) chipped in 15 points and 7 rebounds. The best for the losing side was Nikola Pavlicevic (192-1988) with 11 points and 5 assists and center Zoran Nikolic (212-1996) scored 12 points and 6 rebounds (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field). The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. The victory was the third consecutive win for FMP BG. They moved-up to seventh place, which they share with Spartak. Loser Derby keeps the twelfth position with 14 games lost. They share it with Split. FMP BG’s supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Beograd to the arena Partizan.
Top scorers:
FMP BG: J.Scott 22+4reb+3ast, J.Stephens 15+7reb+2ast, P.Popovic 14+3reb+5ast, A.Stanojevic 8+5reb+1ast, N.Saranovic 5+2reb+1ast, B.Tomasevic 4+1reb
Derby: Z.Nikolic 12+6reb+1ast, N.Pavlicevic 11+3reb+5ast, E.Hadzibegovic 9+6reb, E.Neal 9+1reb, D.Mirkovic 6+9reb+1ast, V.Sudar 4+3reb+1ast