Croatia – A1 Round 2: KK Zadar defeats GKK Sibenik

LovroMazalin There were only 2 rounds played so far and it’s still very beginning of the Regular Season in A1. The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of GKK Sibenik (1-1) on the court of KK Zadar on Friday night. Visitors were defeated by KK Zadar 80-76. KK Zadar made 27-of-31 free shots (87.1 percent) during the game, while GKK Sibenik only scored ten points from the stripe. 26 personal fouls committed by GKK Sibenik helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Lovro Mazalin (204-97, agency: BeoBasket) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 15 points and 10 rebounds (was perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line !!!). point guard Jakov Vladovic (187-83) contributed with 18 points and 4 assists for the winners. Center Ive Ivanov (200-85) replied with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 15 rebounds for GKK Sibenik. GKK Sibenik’s coach Vladimir Anzulovic tried various players’ combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn’t help. KK Zadar is looking forward to face KK Zagreb (#3) on the road in the next round, which may be the game of the day. GKK Sibenik will play against KK Split (#2) and is hoping to win this game. The game between H.Analitica (0-2) and Cedevita (1-1) in Zagreb ended with biggest points difference. Guests from Zagreb outscored H.Analitica 106-67. Lovro Buljevic (208-98) scored 15 points to lead the charge for the winners and Duje Dukan chipped in 15 points during the contest. Forward Hrvoje Garfolic (196-90) responded with 10 points and 8 assists. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Cedevita will play against KK Vrijednosnice Osijek (#4) at home in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. H.Analitica will play against Alkar Sinj (#10) and it may be a tough game between close rivals. There were no big surprises in other games of round 2: KK Zagreb beat Kvarner 2010 on the road 72-67. Winless Skrljevo lost to undefeated Jolly JBS on its own court 80-93. Winless Alkar Sinj lost to undefeated KK Split in a road game 74-85. Cibona rolled over Gorica at home 90-65. Zadar defeated Kvarner 2010 on the opponent’s court 77-72. The most impressive performance of 2nd round was 18 points and 5 assists by Mauro Veljacic of Kvarner 2010.H.Analitica – Cedevita 67-106The game between H.Analitica (0-2) and Cedevita (1-1) in Zagreb ended with biggest points difference. Guests from Zagreb outscored H.Analitica 106-67. The game was mostly controlled by Cedevita. H.Analitica was better in third quarter 24-21. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Cedevita shot 62.9 percent from the field. They also forced 23 H.Analitica turnovers. They shot the lights out from three nailing 13 long-distance shots on high 54.2 percentage. Cedevita players were unselfish on offense dishing 23 assists. Lovro Buljevic (208-98) scored 15 points to lead the charge for the winners and naturalized American forward Duje Dukan (208-92, college: Wisconsin) chipped in 15 points during the contest. Forward Hrvoje Garfolic (196-90) responded with 10 points and 8 assists and guard Goran Fodor (195-90) scored 16 points. Five Cedevita and four H.Analitica players scored in double figures. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Cedevita will play against KK Vrijednosnice Osijek (#4) at home in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. H.Analitica will play against Alkar Sinj (#10) and it may be a tough game between close rivals. Top scorers:H.Analitica: G.Fodor 16+4reb, D.Mijic 12+1reb, J.Skara 11+2reb, H.Garfolic 10+3reb+8ast, J.Rajic 5+3reb+2ast, M.Raic 5+5reb+7astCedevita: L.Buljevic 15+4reb, D.Dukan 15+3reb+1ast, D.Musa 14+1reb+3ast, R.Rogic 13+2reb+3ast, D.Stockton 11+4ast, M.Loncar 8+2reb+1astgschID: 493410Kvarner 2010 – KK Zagreb 67-72No shocking result in a game when KK Zagreb (2-0) beat Kvarner (0-2) in Rijeka 72-67. The guests started the game with a very strong first quarter 22-13. But Kvarner won second period 24-16. However it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. The game was decided in the last minutes when KK Zagreb won last quarter 18-15. Point guard Luka Bozic (199-96, agency: Octagon Europe) …

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