ABA League – Round 7: Partizan loses their first game against Buducnost

Shawn James There was no lack of interesting games this round. The round ended with loss of the undefeated team and favorites losing the games.The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Serbian Partizan (6-1) in Beograd on Saturday night. Hosts were edged by Montenegrin Buducnost (7-0) 64-61. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Partizan. It was a key game for the top position in the league. The guests trailed by 1 point after three quarters before their 19-15 charge, which allowed them to win the game. 26 personal fouls committed by Partizan helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. It was a great evening for American center Shawn James (208-83, college: Northeastern) who led his team to a victory scoring 12 points and 9 rebounds. His fellow American import guard Marcus Williams (191-85, college: Connecticut) helped adding 13 points. At the losing side forward Novica Velickovic (205-86, agency: BeoBasket) responded with 15 points and 9 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Undefeated Buducnost have an impressive series of five victories in a row. Defending Montenegrin champion maintains first place with 7-0 record, which they share with Crvena Zvezda. Partizan at the other side keeps the third position with one game lost. They share it with Cibona. Buducnost is looking forward to face Cibona (#4) in Zagreb in the next round. Partizan’s supporters also look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Beograd to the arena Crvena Zvezda. Very significant was Croatian Cedevita’s (#7) 15-point road victory against 6th ranked Bosnian Igokea 84-69. It was an exceptional evening for Luka Babic (201-91, agency: BeoBasket) who led the winners and scored 17 points and 6 assists. Marko Tomas accounted for 14 points and 5 rebounds. American point guard James Robinson (190-94, college: Pittsburgh) came up with 21 points and 7 assists for Igokea in the defeat. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Defending Croatia champion (4-3) moved-up to fifth place. Igokea lost their third game in a row. Defending Bosnian champion dropped to the seventh position with four games lost. They share it with Zadar. Cedevita will play against Mornar Bar (#10) at home in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Igokea will play against KK Zadar and it may be a tough game between close rivals. A very close game took place in Novo Mesto between Slovenian Krka and Croatian KK Zadar. Eighth ranked Krka (3-3) got a very close home victory over 7th ranked KK Zadar (3-4). Krka managed to escape with a 1-point win 80-79 in the fight for the sixth place. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of KK Zadar. Marko Lukovic fired a double-double by scoring 19 points and 11 rebounds for the winners. Ivan Marinkovic produced a double-double by scoring 24 points and 14 rebounds for lost side. Krka moved-up to sixth place. Loser KK Zadar keeps the seventh position with four games lost. They share it with Igokea. Krka will meet Mega Leks (#12) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. KK Zadar will play against Igokea (#7) and it may be a tough game between close rivals. Bottom-ranked FYR Macedonia Karpos Sokoli (0-7) is still winless. This time they could not use their home court advantage losing their seventh consecutive match to twelfth ranked Slovenia Un.Olimpija (2-4) 87-83. Worth to mention a great performance of Brandon Jefferson who helped to win the game recording 16 points and 5 assists. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Un.Olimpija moved-up to ninth place. Karpos Sokoli lost their fifth game in a row. They still close the standings with seven games lost. Un.Olimpija’s next round opponent will be MZT Skopje (#13) on the road. Karpos Sokoli will play against FMP in Beograd and hopes to get finally their first victory.An interesting game took place in Bar where higher ranked Montenegrin Mornar Bar (2-5) was upset on its own court by leader Serbian Crvena Zvezda (7-0) 71-59 on Monday. It was a great evening for Ognjen Kuzmic who led his team to a victory scoring 11 points and 6 rebounds. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. The victory was the fifth consecutive win for Crvena Zvezda. Defending Serbian champion keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Buducnost. Loser Mornar Bar dropped to the tenth place with five games lost. Crvena Zvezda’s supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Beograd Partizan. In the last two games of round 7 MZT Skopje lost to Mega Leks on the opponent’s court 72-87. Cibona outscored FMP in a home game 87-68. The most impressive stats of the last round was 15 points and 6 rebounds by Kendrick Perry of Karpos Sokoli.Karpos Sokoli – Un.Olimpija 83-87Bottom-ranked FYR Macedonia Karpos Sokoli (0-7) is still winless. This time they could not use their home court advantage losing their seventh consecutive match to twelfth ranked Slovenia Un.Olimpija (2-4) 87-83. They made 25-of-29 charity shots (86.2 percent) during the game. 27 personal fouls committed by Karpos Sokoli helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Worth to mention a great performance of American point guard Brandon Jefferson (175-91, college: Metro St.) who helped to win the game recording 16 points and 5 assists. His fellow American import Devin Oliver (204-92, college: Dayton) contributed with 9 points and 11 rebounds for the winners. Serbian power forward Dragan Labovic (207-87, agency: Alti Sport) answered with 18 points and 6 rebounds and American point guard Kendrick Perry (183-92, college: Youngstown St.) added 15 points and 6 rebounds in the effort for Karpos Sokoli. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench …

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