POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
Aljaz Bratec
Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.
Twelfth-ranked Celje (1-16) made lots of trouble for second ranked Jezica (12-5) on Saturday. The visitors from Ljubljana managed to secure only one-point victory 61-60. However their fans expected much easier game. Celje was trailing by 5 points at halftime but managed to get 4-point lead after three quarters before a 18-13 charge of Jezica, which allowed them to win the game. They also forced 25 Celje turnovers. Strangely Celje outrebounded Jezica 44-31 including a 30-19 advantage in defensive rebounds. The best player for the winners was the former international point guard Aljaz Bratec (192-1998) who scored 17 points. Forward Matic Vesel (206-1998, college: Illinois) chipped in 10 points and 9 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was American point guard Josh Thompson (183-1996, college: Ball St., agency: Interperformances) who recorded 30 points and 9 rebounds. Jezica have a solid three-game winning streak. Newly promoted Jezica maintains second position with 12-5 record having just one point less than leader Triglav, which they share with Jance. Celje lost eleventh consecutive game. They stay at the bottom place with 16 games lost. Jezica’s supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Ljubljana to the arena Slovan.
Leader Triglav delivered the fourteenth victory. This time they crushed 7th ranked Litija (8-9) 99-45 in Kranj. It was a good game for center Miha Muratovic (204-2002) who led his team to a victory with 21 points and 9 rebounds (perfect from the field making all nine shots !!!). Jan Dornik contributed with 19 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. Guard Jaka Zagorc (190-1990) replied with 12 points and 4 assists for Litija. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Triglav have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 14-2 record. Litija at the other side keeps the seventh place with nine games lost. They share the position with Portoroz. Triglav will play against Sezana (#6) on the road in the next round where they are favorite. Litija will play against Nova Gorica and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Rest of the games of round 18 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Sezana was crushed by Jance in Ljubljana 83-64. Medvode was beaten by Slovan at home 79-92. Postojna lost to Portoroz on the opponent’s court 55-71. Nova Gorica unfortunately lost to Troti in a home game 51-58.
The best stats of 18th round was 25 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists by Tim Skerbec of Portoroz.
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Triglav – Litija 99-45
Leader Triglav delivered the fourteenth victory. This time they crushed 7th ranked Litija (8-9) 99-45 in Kranj. The game without a history. Triglav led from the first minutes and controlled entire game increasing their lead in each quarter. They dominated on the defensive end, holding Litija to just 7 points in fourth quarter. Triglav held Litija to an opponent 23.1 percent shooting from the field compared to 61.7 percent accuracy of the winners. Triglav forced 25 Litija turnovers. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 32 assists comparing to just 12 passes made by Litija’s players. It was a good game for center Miha Muratovic (204-2002) who led his team to a victory with 21 points and 9 rebounds (perfect from the field making all nine shots !!!). Forward Jan Dornik (200-1998, college: Loyola, MD) contributed with 19 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. Five Triglav players scored in double figures. Guard Jaka Zagorc (190-1990) replied with 12 points and 4 assists and center Jaka Stemberger (201-1992) added 8 points and 5 rebounds in the effort for Litija. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Triglav have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 14-2 record. Litija at the other side keeps the seventh place with nine games lost. They share the position with Portoroz. Triglav will play against Sezana (#6) on the road in the next round where they are favorite. Litija will play against Nova Gorica and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Litija: J.Zagorc 12+4reb+4ast, J.Stemberger 8+5reb+1ast, D.Pusic 8, K.Vito 6+6reb+2ast, H.Aleksander 4+2reb, J.Strel 3
Triglav: M.Miha 21+9reb+3ast, J.Dornik 19+5reb+4ast, U.Lovro 16+3reb+2ast, C.Crt 13+3reb+4ast, J.Macek 12+3reb+7ast, J.Bavdek 6+3ast
gschID: 1051572
Jance – Sezana 83-64
There was no surprise in Ljubljana where 5th ranked Sezana (10-7) was crushed by third ranked Jance (12-5) 83-64. The game without a history. Jance led from the first minutes and controlled entire game increasing their lead in each quarter. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 21 assists. It was a good game for power forward Jure Licen (197-2000) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 16 points and 10 rebounds. Forward Tomaz Opara (202-1994) contributed with 10 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists for the winners. Jance’s coach allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Point guard Jost Flerin (195-2003) replied with 18 points and 8 rebounds and forward Ziga Kukanja (200-1996) added 19 points and 8 rebounds in the effort for Sezana. Jance moved-up to second place, which they share with Jezica. Sezana at the other side dropped to the sixth position with seven games lost. Jance will play against Postojna (#11) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Sezana will play against the league’s leader Triglav (#1) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Sezana: Z.Kukanja 19+8reb, F.Jost 18+8reb+2ast, M.Radanovic 7+6reb+2ast, M.Filip 7+2reb+1ast, O.Nejc 7+3reb+3ast, P.Andrej 3+2ast
Jance: J.Licen 16+10reb+3ast, B.Nal 13+4reb+3ast, T.Opara 10+9reb+7ast, D.Kopitar 9+3reb, T.Cvetkovic 9+1reb+1ast, L.Aljaz 8+2reb
gschID: 1051573
Celje – Jezica 60-61
Twelfth-ranked Celje (1-16) made lots of trouble for second ranked Jezica (12-5) on Saturday. The visitors from Ljubljana managed to secure only one-point victory 61-60. However their fans expected much easier game. Celje was trailing by 5 points at halftime but managed to get 4-point lead after three quarters before a 18-13 charge of Jezica, which allowed them to win the game. They also forced 25 Celje turnovers. Strangely Celje outrebounded Jezica 44-31 including a 30-19 advantage in defensive rebounds. The best player for the winners was the former international point guard Aljaz Bratec (192-1998) who scored 17 points. Forward Matic Vesel (206-1998, college: Illinois) chipped in 10 points and 9 rebounds. Four Jezica players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was American point guard Josh Thompson (183-1996, college: Ball St., agency: Interperformances) who recorded 30 points and 9 rebounds and center Nejc Buda (211-1991) added 6 points and 16 rebounds respectively. Jezica have a solid three-game winning streak. Newly promoted Jezica maintains second position with 12-5 record having just one point less than leader Triglav, which they share with Jance. Celje lost eleventh consecutive game. They stay at the bottom place with 16 games lost. Jezica’s supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Ljubljana to the arena Slovan.
Top scorers:
Celje: J.Thompson 30+9reb+1ast, O.Nejc 13+3reb+1ast, N.Buda 6+16reb+1ast, I.Blaz 4+3reb+1ast, V.Vanja 3+2ast, Z.Klancnik 2+5reb+1ast
Jezica: A.Bratec 17+4reb+2ast, Z.Alen 11+3reb+1ast, F.Ziga 10+4reb+2ast, M.Vesel 10+9reb+1ast, M.Miha 5+1reb, R.Vid 4+4reb+1ast
gschID: 1051575
Medvode – Slovan 79-92
No shocking result in a game when sixth ranked Slovan (11-6) defeated on the road 10th ranked Medvode (5-12) 92-79. Medvode was ahead by 3 points at the halftime before a 52-36 second half run of Slovan. They also forced 20 Medvode turnovers. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 24 assists. Slovan brought some defensive toughness making 8 blocks. It was a good game for guard Anze Germ (190-1993) who led his team to a victory with 24 points, 5 assists and 4 steals. Swingman Matija Kalan (193-2001) contributed with 16 points for the winners. Slovan’s coach allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Jaka Bovha (-2000) replied with 18 points and 8 rebounds and swingman Nikola Vracevic (193-2002) added 12 points in the effort for Medvode. Slovan moved-up to fifth place. Medvode at the other side keeps the tenth position with 12 games lost. Slovan’s supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Ljubljana Jezica.
Top scorers:
Medvode: B.Jaka 18+8reb+3ast, V.Nikola 12+4reb+2ast, Z.Zepic 12+2reb+3ast, S.Nik 9+1reb, M.Skrlec 9+4reb+1ast, V.Milutin 9+3reb+4ast
Slovan: A.Germ 24+3reb+5ast, K.Matija 16+4reb+2ast, D.Jon 15+4reb+3ast, I.Leon 10+1ast, L.Matic 8+7reb+7ast, Z.Erculj 7+6reb+5ast
gschID: 1051576
Portoroz – Postojna 71-55
Rather expected game when 11th ranked Postojna (3-14) was defeated on the road by eighth ranked Portoroz (8-9) 71-55. The game without a history. Portoroz led from the first minutes and controlled entire game increasing their lead in each quarter. It was a good game for Tim Skerbec (200-1993) who led his team to a victory with 25 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. Point guard Andraz Rogelja (189-1995, agency: PEPI SPORT) contributed with 10 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. Tim Lotric (189-2000) replied with a double-double by scoring 14 points and 13 rebounds and Milan Petrovic (-2004) added 12 points and 7 rebounds in the effort for Postojna. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Portoroz moved-up to seventh place, which they share with Litija. Postojna lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the eleventh position with 14 games lost. Portoroz will play against bottom-ranked Celje (#12) on the road in the next round where they are favorite. Postojna will play against Jance and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Postojna: M.Kodric 14+5reb+1ast, T.Lotric 14+13reb+1ast, P.Milan 12+7reb+2ast, A.Jogan 6+5reb+2ast, M.Peter 5+1reb+1ast, M.Cergic 2+2reb+2ast
Portoroz: T.Skerbec 25+9reb+4ast, A.Rogelja 10+7reb+4ast, H.Elmir 8+5reb, R.Svit 6+2reb+1ast, T.Peter 5, Z.Bahor 5+2reb+1ast
gschID: 1051577
Nova Gorica – Troti 51-58
Very predictable result when fourth ranked Troti (11-5) beat on the road 9th ranked Nova Gorica (6-11) 58-51. It looked good early as Nova Gorica took a 8-point lead at the end of first quarter. But then Troti took control and eventually winning the game that evening by 7 points. They dominated on the defensive end, holding Nova Gorica to just 7 points in third quarter. It was a good game for point guard Domen Janc (187-1996) who led his team to a victory with 15 points. Center Blaz Janezic (202-2000) contributed with 9 points and 11 rebounds for the winners. Troti’s coach allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Forward Matic Gavez (194-2000) replied with a double-double by scoring 14 points and 10 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) and center Zan Petejan (196-1995) added 11 points and 7 rebounds in the effort for Nova Gorica. Troti have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain fourth position with 11-5 record. Nova Gorica lost third consecutive game. They keep the ninth place with 11 games lost. Troti will play against Medvode (#10) at home in the next round where they are favorite. Nova Gorica will play against Litija and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Nova Gorica: M.Gavez 14+10reb+3ast, Z.Petejan 11+7reb+2ast, J.Mocnik 11+6ast, M.Lipicar 6+5reb+1ast, S.Borse 3+4reb+2ast, S.Mucic 3+3reb+1ast
Troti: D.Janc 15+2reb+3ast, K.Aljaz 15+3reb+1ast, B.Janezic 9+11reb, N.Luka 8+3reb+3ast, R.Vidrih 4+6reb, Z.Rok 3+2reb
gschID: 1051574
