POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
Leon Stergar
The games at this stage are more interesting as they can be crucial for the final standings in Regular Season. Despite we already know who is stronger and who is weaker, there may be still last minute surprises and upsets. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.
Liga Nova KBM top team – Krka (19-4) had no problems winning another game on Monday. This time they crushed fifth ranked Terme Olimia (11-12) in Podcetrtek 117-93. The game was mostly controlled by Krka. Terme Olimia managed to win third quarter 24-22. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. They made 30-of-36 free shots (83.3 percent) during the game. 28 personal fouls committed by Terme Olimia helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. International Leon Stergar (193-2000) orchestrated the victory by scoring 20 points and 5 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). Montenegrin power forward Radosav Spasojevic (204-1992, agency: PEPI SPORT) contributed with 17 points for the winners. Naturalized Bosnian forward Simo Atanackovic (207-1990) answered with 20 points and 6 rebounds (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line) for Terme Olimia. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Krka maintains first place with 19-4 record, which they share with Helios Suns. Terme Olimia at the other side keeps the fifth position with 12 games lost. Krka is looking forward to face Sentjur (#4) at home in the next round. Terme Olimia will play against the league’s second-placed Helios Suns in Domzale and is hoping to prove to their supporters that this time they can win.
The game in Rogaska Slatina supposed to be also worth to mention about. Second ranked Helios Suns (19-4) played at the court of 6th ranked Rogaska (10-13). Helios Suns smashed Rogaska 94-73. It was a great evening for the former international forward Blaz Mahkovic (201-1990, agency: Interperformances) who led his team to a victory scoring 25 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists. Lovro Buljevic helped adding 14 points and 11 rebounds. Helios Suns’ coach Dejan Jakara felt very confident that he used 10 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The former international Urban Durnik (204-1997) responded with 24 points and 8 rebounds. Helios Suns keep a position of league leader, which they share with Krka. Rogaska at the other side keeps the sixth place with 13 games lost. They share the position with Ilirija. Helios Suns will play against Terme Olimia (#5) in Podcetrtek in the next round. Rogaska will play on the road against Sencur Gor. in Kranj and hopes to get back on the winning track.
The game between seventh ranked Ilirija (10-13) and 8th ranked Hopsi Polzela (7-16) in Ljubljana on Saturday ended with biggest points difference. Ilirija outscored guests from Polzela 108-71. It was a quality performance for Adnan Arslanagic who led the winners and scored 16 points and 5 rebounds. Jure Pelko came up with 15 points and 5 assists for Hopsi Polzela in the defeat. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Ilirija moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Rogaska. Hopsi Polzela lost third consecutive game. They keep the eighth position with 16 games lost. They share it with LTH Castings. Ilirija will meet LTH Castings (#8) in the next round. Hopsi Polzela will play against Zlatorog in Lasko and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
In the last two games of round 23 LTH Castings was beaten by Sentjur on the road 91-75. Sencur Gor. won against Zlatorog on its own court 71-53.
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Sentjur – LTH Castings 91-75
No shocking result in a game when fifth ranked Sentjur (12-11) beat at home 8th ranked LTH Castings (7-16) 91-75 on Saturday. The hosts trailed by 3 points at the halftime before their 52-33 charge in the second half, which allowed them to win the game. It was an exceptional evening for American point guard Tavian Dunn-Martin (173-1998, college: FGCU) who led the winners and scored 27 points, 5 rebounds and 9 assists. Rok Nemanic (192-2001) accounted for 19 points for the winning side. Sentjur’s coach Damjan Novakovic used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. American swingman Mario Kegler (201-1997, college: Baylor) came up with 18 points and 7 rebounds (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line) and point guard Matej Cibej (180-2002) added 15 points respectively for LTH Castings in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Sentjur have a solid series of four victories in a row. They moved-up to fourth place. Newly promoted LTH Castings keep the eighth position with 16 games lost. They share it with Hopsi Polzela. Sentjur will meet league’s leader Krka in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. LTH Castings will play against Ilirija (#6) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Sentjur: T.Dunn-Martin 27+5reb+9ast, R.Nemanic 19+3reb+2ast, S.Glogovac 19+2reb, T.Tomazic 16+6reb+1ast, J.Craig 8+8reb+2ast, N.Zupan 2+2reb+3ast
LTH Castings: M.Kegler 18+7reb+3ast, M.Cibej 15+1reb+2ast, T.Jugovic 12+4reb+2ast, S.Bilic 11+4reb+2ast, R.Rodic 7+6reb, F.Nace 6+4reb
gschID: 1061179
Ilirija – Hopsi Polzela 108-71
The game between seventh ranked Ilirija (10-13) and 8th ranked Hopsi Polzela (7-16) in Ljubljana on Saturday ended with biggest points difference. Ilirija outscored guests from Polzela 108-71. The game without a history. Ilirija led from the first minutes and controlled entire game increasing their lead in each quarter. They dominated down low during the game scoring 64 of its points in the paint compared to Hopsi Polzela’s 36 and made 23-of-28 free shots (82.1 percent) during the game. Ilirija forced 26 Hopsi Polzela turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. It was a quality performance for Bosnian point guard Adnan Arslanagic (183-1997) who led the winners and scored 16 points and 5 rebounds. Guard Jaka Klobucar (199-2003) accounted for 17 points for the winning side. Guard Jure Pelko (189-1990) came up with 15 points and 5 assists and swingman Ozbej Glavan (198-2001) added 14 points and 5 rebounds respectively for Hopsi Polzela in the defeat. 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 and allowed the starting five to rest. Ilirija moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Rogaska. Hopsi Polzela lost third consecutive game. They keep the eighth position with 16 games lost. They share it with LTH Castings. Ilirija will meet LTH Castings (#8) in the next round. Hopsi Polzela will play against Zlatorog in Lasko and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Ilirija: K.Jaka 17+2reb+1ast, A.Adnan 16+5reb+2ast, K.Damian 13+7reb, L.Kures 12+2reb+1ast, M.Matic 11+7reb+2ast, A.Shashkov 10+3reb+2ast
Hopsi Polzela: J.Pelko 15+1reb+5ast, G.Ozbej 14+5reb+2ast, J.Besedic 14+6reb, M.Vranjkovic 11+4reb+2ast, M.Vasilic 5+3reb+2ast, I.Goltnik 4+1reb+1ast
gschID: 1061178
Terme Olimia – Krka 93-117
Liga Nova KBM top team – Krka (19-4) had no problems winning another game on Monday. This time they crushed fifth ranked Terme Olimia (11-12) in Podcetrtek 117-93. The game was mostly controlled by Krka. Terme Olimia managed to win third quarter 24-22. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. They made 30-of-36 free shots (83.3 percent) during the game. 28 personal fouls committed by Terme Olimia helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. International Leon Stergar (193-2000) orchestrated the victory by scoring 20 points and 5 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). Montenegrin power forward Radosav Spasojevic (204-1992, agency: PEPI SPORT) contributed with 17 points for the winners. Four Krka players scored in double figures. Naturalized Bosnian forward Simo Atanackovic (207-1990) answered with 20 points and 6 rebounds (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line) and guard Gasper Skorjanc (190-2004) added 21 points and 4 assists in the effort for Terme Olimia. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Krka maintains first place with 19-4 record, which they share with Helios Suns. Terme Olimia at the other side keeps the fifth position with 12 games lost. Krka is looking forward to face Sentjur (#4) at home in the next round. Terme Olimia will play against the league’s second-placed Helios Suns in Domzale and is hoping to prove to their supporters that this time they can win.
Top scorers:
Krka: L.Stergar 20+5reb+2ast, A.Stavrov 17+2reb, R.Spasojevic 17+3reb+2ast, R.Stipcevic 15+4reb+1ast, J.Span 12+1reb+6ast, C.Miha 11+5reb+2ast
Terme Olimia: S.Gasper 21+3reb+4ast, S.Atanackovic 20+6reb+2ast, S.Cebular 13+4reb+5ast, S.Igor 11+2reb, B.Jure 9+4reb+2ast, Z.Svigelj 9+6reb+4ast
gschID: 1061181
Sencur Gor. – Zlatorog 71-53
Very expected game when 10th ranked Zlatorog (6-17) lost to third ranked Sencur Gor. (14-9) in Kranj 53-71 on Monday. The game without a history. Sencur Gor. led from the first minutes and controlled entire game increasing their lead in each quarter. They dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to Zlatorog’s 12. Sencur Gor. forced 19 Zlatorog turnovers. It was an exceptional evening for the former international power forward Dino Muric (201-1990) who led the winners and scored 15 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. Forward Gaber Ozegovic (197-1998, college: CS Fullerton) accounted for 16 points and 6 rebounds for the winning side. Naturalized Croatian point guard Daniel Vujasinovic (188-1989) came up with 10 points and 8 assists and point guard Klemen Pozin (180-1995) added 18 points respectively for Zlatorog in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to get some rest. Sencur Gor. have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain third place with 14-9 record having five points less than leader Krka. Loser Zlatorog stay at the bottom position with 17 games lost. Sencur Gor. will meet at home Rogaska (#7) in the next round. Zlatorog will play against Hopsi Polzela and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Sencur Gor.: G.Ozegovic 16+6reb+1ast, D.Muric 15+8reb+4ast, E.Ahmedovic 10+8reb, L.Walford 8+2reb, M.Alen 8+3reb, J.Novak 6+4ast
Zlatorog: K.Pozin 18+2ast, U.Nik 10+2reb+1ast, D.Vujasinovic 10+3reb+8ast, A.Bailey 6+7reb, T.Blaz 4+4reb+1ast, K.Smrekar 3+5reb
gschID: 1061180
Rogaska – Helios Suns 73-94
The game in Rogaska Slatina supposed to be also worth to mention about. Second ranked Helios Suns (19-4) played at the court of 6th ranked Rogaska (10-13). Helios Suns smashed Rogaska 94-73. The game was mostly controlled by Helios Suns. Rogaska was better in third quarter 18-17. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. They outrebounded Rogaska 41-23 including a 33-16 advantage in defensive rebounds. Helios Suns players were unselfish on offense dishing 26 assists. It was a great evening for the former international forward Blaz Mahkovic (201-1990, agency: Interperformances) who led his team to a victory scoring 25 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line). Croatian power forward Lovro Buljevic (211-1998) helped adding 14 points and 11 rebounds. Helios Suns’ coach Dejan Jakara felt very confident that he used 10 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The former international Urban Durnik (204-1997) responded with 24 points and 8 rebounds and swingman Jure Span (193-1995, college: USC Upstate, agency: PEPI SPORT) produced a double-double by scoring 10 points and 13 assists. Four Rogaska players scored in double figures. Helios Suns keep a position of league leader, which they share with Krka. Rogaska at the other side keeps the sixth place with 13 games lost. They share the position with Ilirija. Helios Suns will play against Terme Olimia (#5) in Podcetrtek in the next round. Rogaska will play on the road against Sencur Gor. in Kranj and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Helios Suns: B.Mahkovic 25+6reb+7ast, L.Buljevic 14+11reb+3ast, T.Ferme 10+3reb+2ast, S.Lenart 10+1ast, U.Oman 9+3reb+2ast, Z.Jan 9+2reb
Rogaska: U.Durnik 24+8reb, D.Jean-Baptiste 18+4reb+1ast, I.Milicevic 10+2reb, J.Span 10+3reb+13ast, P.Tabak 9+4reb, M.Domen 2
gschID: 1071105
