ABA League – Round 12: Buducnost lose to MZT Skopje

Josh Scott The most important game in the last round took place in Skopje between second ranked Montenegrin Buducnost (10-2) and tenth ranked FYR Macedonian MZT Skopje (4-8) on Sunday night. Buducnost was defeated by MZT Skopje in a tough game on the road 90-96. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Buducnost. Buducnost was trailing by 4 points at halftime but managed to get 2-point lead after three quarters before a 26-18 charge of MZT Skopje, which allowed them to win the game. They shot the lights out from three sinking 13 long-distance shots on high 59.1 percentage. MZT Skopje looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. It was a good game for American forward Josh Scott (208-93, college: Colorado, agency: Pensack Sports) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 15 points and 11 rebounds. Serbian swingman Djordje Drenovac (201-92) contributed with 13 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. American guard Marcus Williams (191-85, college: Connecticut) replied with 21 points, 5 rebounds and 9 assists for Buducnost. Defending FYR Macedonian champion moved-up to ninth place, which they share with Un.Olimpija and Mega Leks. Defending Montenegrin champion Buducnost keeps the second position with two games lost. MZT Skopje is looking forward to face Mornar Bar (#12) on the road in the next round. Buducnost will play against the league’s leader Crvena Zvezda (#1) where they are definitely not considered as a favorite in this game either. Adriatic League top team – Crvena Zvezda (12-0) had no problems winning another game. This time they crushed twelfth ranked FMP (3-9) in Beograd 93-62. Worth to mention a quality performance of swingman Nemanja Dangubic (204-93, agency: BeoBasket) who helped to win the game recording 12 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists and Nate Wolters who added 10 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists during the contest. The best for the losing side was power forward Dragan Apic (206-95) with 13 points and 5 rebounds. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Undefeated Crvena Zvezda have an impressive ten-game winning streak. Defending Serbian champion maintains first position with 12-0 record. FMP lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the twelfth place with nine games lost. They share the position with Mornar Bar. Crvena Zvezda will play against league’s second-placed Buducnost in Podgorica in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. FMP will play at home against Cedevita (#4) and hopes to get back on the winning track. The game in Novo Mesto was also quite interesting. Third ranked Serbian Partizan (9-3) played at the court of 7th ranked Slovenian Krka (5-7). Partizan defeated Krka 82-70 on Saturday. The winners were led by Novica Velickovic who scored that evening 18 points and 5 rebounds. Even a double-double of 18 points and 10 assists by Matic Rebec did not help to save the game for Krka. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Partizan have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain third position with 9-3 record having just four point less than leader Crvena Zvezda. Krka lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the seventh place with seven games lost. They share the position with Zadar. Partizan will meet at home Igokea (#6) in the next round. Krka will play against Cibona in Zagreb and it may be a tough game between close rivals. Worth to mention about the upset in a game between Krka (5-7) and Un.Olimpija (4-8), which took place in Ljubljana. Higher ranked Krka lost to eleventh ranked Un.Olimpija in a road game 64-79. The best player for the winners was Brandon Jefferson who scored 19 points. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Un.Olimpija moved-up to ninth place, which they share with MZT Skopje and Mega Leks. Krka lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the seventh position with seven games lost. Un.Olimpija’s next round opponent will be higher ranked KK Zadar (#8) at home and it may be quite challenging game. There were no big surprises in other games of round 12: Cibona beat Mega Leks on the road 82-71. Cedevita won against Un.Olimpija on its own court 102-87. Mornar Bar unfortunately lost to Igokea in Aleksandrovac 69-74. Zadar rolled over Karpos Sokoli at home 93-74. Un.Olimpija – Krka 79-64Worth to mention about the upset in a game between Krka (5-7) and Un.Olimpija (4-8), which took place in Ljubljana. Higher ranked Krka lost to eleventh ranked Un.Olimpija in a road game 64-79. Krka was tied at the half but could not keep up in last two quarters eventually losing the game. The best player for the winners was American point guard Brandon Jefferson (175-91, college: Metro St.) who scored 19 points. Serbian Nikola Jankovic (207-94, agency: BeoBasket) chipped in 9 points and 10 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was point guard Matic Rebec (181-95) who recorded 12 points, 6 assists and 4 steals and Kosovan-Albanian Erjon Kastrati (198-94) added 11 points and 6 rebounds respectively. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Un.Olimpija moved-up to ninth place, which they share with MZT Skopje and Mega Leks. Krka lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the seventh position with seven games lost. Un.Olimpija’s next round opponent will be higher ranked KK Zadar (#8) at home and it may be quite challenging game. Top scorers:Un.Olimpija: B.Jefferson 19+4reb, M.Mulalic 16+1reb, G.Hrovat 13+5reb+1ast, N.Jankovic 9+10reb+2ast, S.Milosevic 8+6reb, D.Oliver 4+8reb+8astKrka: R.Curry 12+2reb, M.Rebec 12+3reb+6ast, E.Kastrati 11+6reb+1ast, S.Cebular 8+5reb+3ast, D.Elliott 7+5reb, Z.Dimec 6+3reb+1astgschID: 523980Crvena Zvezda – FMP 93-62Adriatic League top team – Crvena Zvezda (12-0) had no problems winning another game. This time they crushed twelfth ranked FMP (3-9) in Beograd 93-62. The game without a history. Crvena Zvezda led from the first minutes and controlled entire game increasing their lead in each quarter. They made 27-of-31 charity shots (87.1 percent) during the game. Crvena Zvezda players were unselfish on offense dishing 23 assists. Worth to mention a quality performance of swingman Nemanja Dangubic (204-93, agency: BeoBasket) who helped to win the game recording 12 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists and American …

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