MEGA SUPERBET CLAIMS OVERTIME VICTORY AGAINST LOKOMOTIV KUBAN AFTER A HARD-FOUGHT BATTLE

Mega Superbet basketball players delivered another excellent performance in the Winline Basket Cup, as they followed up their triumph over CSKA Moscow with a dramatic overtime win against Lokomotiv Kuban, 103–100 (37:24, 12:27, 16:20, 22:16, 16:13), at the Ranko Žeravica Sports Hall.

Vuleta Avdalović’s team started the game strongly, taking a double-digit lead in the opening quarter, but the opponent managed to turn things around by halftime. What followed was a fierce battle throughout the second half — Mega tied the game, even had a shot to win in regulation, but luck wasn’t on their side. The game went into overtime, where Mega showed more persistence and focus, earning a well-deserved victory to improve their record to 2–0.

Savo Drezgić was outstanding with 29 points and eight assists (index 30), while Asim Đulović posted a double-double with 23 points and 15 rebounds (index 34). Luigi Suigo was close to a double-double with 19 points and eight rebounds (index 25), and Bogoljub Marković added 14 points, six rebounds, and six assists.

For Lokomotiv Kuban, Patrick Miller led the way with 30 points, while Keshus Robertson and Anton Kvitkovskikh scored 17 each, and Vince Hunter added 12.

After an initial feeling-out phase, Mega pulled away midway through the first quarter and, following Drezgić’s points with four minutes left, reached a double-digit lead. They were up by as many as 15 before ending the first quarter with a 37:24 advantage. However, Lokomotiv reacted strongly and turned the game around five minutes into the second quarter (40:39). The teams traded blows until halftime, which the Russian side entered with a 51:49 lead.

Lokomotiv maintained control in the third quarter, extending the margin to 65:57, but Avdalović’s players refused to give up. Drezgić hit two three-pointers to spark a comeback, and Gačić tied it from the free-throw line (65:65). The visitors finished the quarter stronger, entering the fourth with a 71:65 lead. Mega kept the pressure on, and once again Drezgić stepped up in clutch moments, hitting back-to-back threes to tie the game (85:85) entering the final two minutes. He had a chance to win it at the buzzer but missed, sending the game to overtime.

In the extra period, Mega took the lead after a Suigo three-pointer (93:89), but Lokomotiv cut the gap to one. Đulović responded with an and-one play to push Mega back up by four (96:92). Lokomotiv tied it again, but Đulović once more scored under the basket, drawing a foul for 99:96 with just over a minute left. Mega held firm, and Drezgić sealed the win from the free-throw line.

Next up, Mega Superbet returns to ABA League action, visiting Zadar in Round 7 (18:00).

Mega Superbet: Đulović 23 (15 reb, PIR 34), Drezgić 29 (8 ast, PIR 30), Marković 14 (6 reb, 6 ast), Kroflič 5, Suigo 19 (8 reb), Milenković, Radojčić 3, Vukčević, Sibi 6, Srzentić, Gačić 4, Mušicki
Lokomotiv Kuban: Miller 30, Temirov 4, Kvitkovskikh 17, Hunter 12, Konovalov, Kosko, Robertson 17, Elatontsev 2, Ishchenko 9, Popov 1, Sheyanov 2, Samoylenko 5

Photo: Mega Superbet