MEGA MIS PUT UP A GOOD FIGHT BUT COULDN’T MAKE A SURPRISE AGAINST PARTIZAN

Mega MIS lost to Partizan Mozzart Beta in the fifth round of the ABA League 86:76 (25:26, 25:13, 22:19, 14:18). Marko Barać’s team was neck to neck with the Euroleague team of Željko Obradović for the large part of the match. The hosts made a big run in the second quarter and went on a break with a double-digit surplus. After Partizan’s lead of 16 points, Barać’s men managed to cut the deficit to six, but they did not have the strength to complete the comeback. After tonight’s meeting, Mega is 0-5, while the Black and Whites remained at the top of the regional championship with a maximum score of 5-0.

October is the international month of the fight against breast cancer, and tonight Mega MIS supported that action with a complete pink outfit (jersey and shorts), even though this season they’re playing in a combination of pink and yellow.

Matej Rudan led Mega with 26 points and nine rebounds (efficiency rating 34), while Danko Branković added 17 points, with seven rebounds and four blocks (efficiency rating 22). Malcolm Cazalon scored nine points, along with seven rebounds and four steals. For Partizan, James Nunnally was the most effective with 14 points, while Balša Koprivica, Joannis Papapetrou, and Dante Exum added 10 points each.

It was an even game in the opening minutes. With six straight points, Mega grabbed the first noticeable advantage. Partizan responded with a 6:0 run, but Barac’s men gained a minimal advantage at the end of the first quarter. Both teams fought bravely until halftime, but the black and whites mostly had the surplus and went to the big break with an 11-point advantage.

Mega did not surrender and managed to cut the lead of the Euroleague team to five points in the middle of the third period, but the home team answered and had a 72:58 lead before the final break. It wasn’t enough for the team led by the most decorated European coach to put the game to bed. Mega responded with a 10:0 run at the start of the decisive quarter. However, they did not manage to keep the rhythm, and Partizan stayed in front and won the game.

Mega MIS: Branković 17 (7 sk), Bogavac, Rudan 26 (9 sk), Uskoković 5, Kobzistij 1, Kazalon 9 (7 sk), Kovačević, Cerovina, Rori 4, Grbović 3, Milosavljević 8, Mušikić 3

Partizan Mozzart Bet: Vukčević 5, Ledej 5, Koprivica 10, Panther 4, Papapetru 10, Exum 10, Naneli 14, Glas, Lesor 8, Trifunović 6, Andušić 5, Madar 9

In the next round of the ABA League, the Mega MIS will host the Studentski centar. The meeting is scheduled for Sunday (November 6th) at noon in the Ranko Žeravica Sports Hall.

Photo: Mega MIS/Ivica Veselinov