Basketball News, Scores, Stats, Analysis, Standings

Kresimir Radovcic

There are only two more rounds left in the Regular Season in Premijer Liga. Coincidentally all hosts won their games. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Cibona as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Cibona smashed 9th ranked Bosco in Zagreb 118-68. Cibona dominated down low during the game scoring 70 of its points in the paint compared to Bosco’s 24. They outrebounded Bosco 50-24 including a 14-3 advantage in offensive rebounds. Cibona looked well-organized offensively handing out 29 assists. The former international point guard Kresimir Radovcic (195-1997) orchestrated the victory by scoring 15 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. Ivan Perasovic (200-2002) contributed with 20 points (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field) for the winners. Forward Ante Krapic (203-1985) replied with 18 points for Bosco. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Cibona (16-3) have an impressive five-game winning streak. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. Bosco lost fifth consecutive game. Newly promoted team keeps the ninth place with 15 games lost. They share the position with Zabok and Skrljevo. Just two games before the end of Regular Season and it may be the most important game of the season next round when Bosco faces Skrljevo trying to get back on the winning streak. Cibona will try to continue on its current victory against third ranked Zadar on the road.
Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Zagreb: Dubrava (#6) and Dinamo (#7). Dubrava (11-9) won against visiting Dinamo (8-12) 87-77. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Taveion Hollingsworth (188-1999, college: WKU) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 36 points (!!!), 13 rebounds and 5 assists (was perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line !!!) and Matej Bosnjak who added 19 points and 10 rebounds during the contest. Forward Hrvoje Garafolic (196-1990) responded with 19 points and 7 assists. Dubrava maintains sixth position with 11-9 record. Dinamo lost fourth consecutive game. Newly promoted team keeps the seventh place with 12 games lost. Dubrava’s supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Zagreb to the arena Cibona.
Worth to mention about the upset in a game between Sibenka (13-7) and Skrljevo (5-15), which took place in Skrljevo. Higher ranked Sibenka lost to eleventh ranked Skrljevo in a road game 70-78 on Saturday. The winners were led by Derryck Thornton who scored that evening 21 points and 9 assists. Even 10 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists by Patrik Jambrovic did not help to save the game for Sibenka. Skrljevo moved-up to ninth place, which they share with Zabok and Bosco. Sibenka at the other side keeps the fifth position with seven games lost. Skrljevo will meet Bosco (#10) in the next round. Sibenka will play against Split (#4) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 20: bottom-ranked Gorica was beaten by Cedevita Jr. on the road 101-86. Zadar destroyed Zabok on its own court 93-70. Alkar was outscored by Split in a road game 91-67.

Dubrava – Dinamo 87-77

Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Zagreb: Dubrava (#6) and Dinamo (#7). Dubrava (11-9) won against visiting Dinamo (8-12) 87-77. Dubrava made 17-of-22 charity shots (77.3 percent) during the game. Dubrava outrebounded Dinamo 44-28 including a 36-21 advantage in defensive rebounds. Dinamo was plagued by 24 personal fouls down the stretch. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Taveion Hollingsworth (188-1999, college: WKU) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 36 points (!!!), 13 rebounds and 5 assists (was perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line !!!) and center Matej Bosnjak (204-2002, agency: Octagon Europe) who added 19 points and 10 rebounds during the contest. Forward Hrvoje Garafolic (196-1990) responded with 19 points and 7 assists and swingman Ivan Vucic (195-1996) scored 10 points and 6 rebounds. Four Dinamo players scored in double figures. Dubrava maintains sixth position with 11-9 record. Dinamo lost fourth consecutive game. Newly promoted team keeps the seventh place with 12 games lost. Dubrava’s supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Zagreb to the arena Cibona.
Top scorers:
Dubrava: T.Hollingsworth 36+13reb+5ast, M.Bosnjak 19+10reb, K.Karahodzic 11+7reb+4ast, D.Kuzmanovic 8+3reb+1ast, F.Paponja 5+5reb+6ast, M.Vidovic 4+2reb+3ast
Dinamo: H.Garafolic 19+3reb+7ast, I.Novacic 12+3reb+3ast, A.Anzulovic 10+4ast, I.Vucic 10+6reb+3ast, M.Vrucinic 8+2reb+3ast, D.Stipe 5+3reb+1ast

gschID: 1002363

Cedevita Jr. – Gorica 101-86

No shocking result in a game when second ranked Cedevita Jr. (16-4) beat bottom-ranked Gorica (3-16) in Zagreb 101-86 on Friday. Cedevita Jr. dominated down low during the game scoring 58 of its points in the paint compared to Gorica’s 38 and made 19-of-25 free shots (76.0 percent) during the game. Cedevita Jr. looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. The winners were led by forward Renato Serdarusic (196-2001) who scored that evening 23 points and 9 rebounds and the former international Krunoslav Simon (197-1985, agency: AltusBasket) supported him with 21 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field). Cedevita Jr.’s coach Damir Mulaomerovic used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Even 26 points by Bosnian swingman Milan Luzaic (196-1996) did not help to save the game for Gorica. Forward Jure Gunjina (203-1992, college: GSW) added 11 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists for the guests. Five Gorica players scored in double figures. Cedevita Jr. have an impressive eight-game winning streak. They maintain second position with 16-4 record having just one point less than leader Cibona. Gorica at the other side stay at the bottom place with 16 games lost. Cedevita Jr. will meet Zabok (#11) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Gorica will play against Dinamo and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Cedevita Jr.: R.Serdarusic 23+9reb+2ast, K.Simon 21+5reb+5ast, J.Mustapic 18+3reb+4ast, D.Topolovic 8+1reb+2ast, C.Sasa 8+3reb+1ast, J.Batinic 8+2reb+9ast
Gorica: M.Luzaic 26+3reb+1ast, K.Uljarevic 14+4reb+4ast, A.Masic 13+10reb+2ast, J.Gunjina 11+9reb+7ast, I.Batur 10+2reb, V.Porobic 7+1reb+1ast

gschID: 1002364

Zadar – Zabok 93-70

Very expected game when 9th ranked Zabok (5-15) was smashed on the road by third ranked Zadar (15-4) 93-70 on Friday. Zadar outrebounded Zabok 49-32 including a 34-21 advantage in defensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. The winners were led by the former international swingman Marko Ramljak (201-1993) who scored that evening 16 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists and American forward Juan Davis (203-1996, college: Troy) supported him with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Four Zadar players scored in double figures. Even 21 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists by American Tim Bond (201-1995, college: EMU) did not help to save the game for Zabok. Forward Luksa Buljevic (200-2002, agency: PEPI SPORT) added 25 points for the guests. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Zadar have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain third position with 15-4 record behind leader Cibona, which they share with Split. Zabok lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the ninth place with 15 games lost. They share the position with Bosco and Skrljevo. Zadar will meet at home league’s leader Cibona in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Zabok will play against the league’s second-placed Cedevita Jr. (#2) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Zadar: D.Dreznjak 22+3reb+2ast, J.Davis 18+11reb, M.Ramljak 16+9reb+4ast, K.Krsevan 10+7reb+2ast, K.Zganec 8+5reb+4ast, A.Jordano 7+2reb+3ast
Zabok: L.Buljevic 25+4reb+2ast, T.Bond 21+6reb+7ast, M.Perovic 11+6reb+3ast, J.Stipanicev 4+4reb, A.Antonic 3+1reb, I.Martinko 2+1reb

gschID: 1002365

Split – Alkar 91-67

Rather predictable result when fourth ranked Split (15-4) rolled over at home 8th ranked Alkar (6-14) 91-67 on Monday. They outrebounded Alkar 48-28 including a 30-19 advantage in defensive rebounds. Split looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. The winners were led by American forward Lewis Sullivan (201-1995, college: UAB, agency: BIG) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 24 points and 12 rebounds and the former international Mate Kalajzic (189-1998, agency: BeoBasket) supported him with 21 points and 6 rebounds. Even 16 points and 8 assists by point guard Lovre Basic (180-1995) did not help to save the game for Alkar. American swingman Christian Peevy (201-1998, college: Lynn) added 10 points for the guests. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Split have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to third place, which they share with Zadar. Alkar at the other side keeps the eighth position with 14 games lost. Split will meet Sibenka (#5) in the next round. Alkar will play against Zadar and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Split: L.Sullivan 24+12reb+1ast, M.Kalajzic 21+6reb+3ast, T.Nelson 13+4reb+2ast, D.Mavra 11+4reb+14ast, S.Shorter 9+4reb, L.Runjic 3+3reb+1ast
Alkar: L.Basic 16+2reb+8ast, H.Vucic 12+3reb, C.Peevy 10+4reb+2ast, I.Polutak 10+4reb, G.Maric 6+1reb+1ast, I.Svalina 5+3reb+5ast

gschID: 1002366

Skrljevo – Sibenka 78-70

Worth to mention about the upset in a game between Sibenka (13-7) and Skrljevo (5-15), which took place in Skrljevo. Higher ranked Sibenka lost to eleventh ranked Skrljevo in a road game 70-78 on Saturday. Skrljevo made 19-of-21 free shots (90.5 percent) during the game. The winners were led by American guard Derryck Thornton (190-1997, college: Boston Coll.) who scored that evening 21 points and 9 assists and forward Luka Barisic (208-1998, college: W.Illinois) supported him with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Even 10 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists by forward Patrik Jambrovic (203-1996, agency: PEPI SPORT) did not help to save the game for Sibenka. American guard Jacob Kakar (193-1998, college: Barry) added 18 points for the guests. Five Sibenka players scored in double figures. Skrljevo moved-up to ninth place, which they share with Zabok and Bosco. Sibenka at the other side keeps the fifth position with seven games lost. Skrljevo will meet Bosco (#10) in the next round. Sibenka will play against Split (#4) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Skrljevo: D.Thornton 21+2reb+9ast, L.Barisic 17+10reb, G.Ramme 12+4reb+2ast, M.Rajcic 9+6reb+2ast, M.Jelic 7+1reb+3ast, B.Vigo 5+4reb
Sibenka: J.Kakar 18+2reb, L.Skoric 14+5reb+1ast, K.Antonio 12+2reb+2ast, S.Brocic 11+1reb+3ast, P.Jambrovic 10+7reb+5ast, S.Petar 3