MEGA SUPERBET DEFEATS KRKA AFTER INTENSE BATTLE AND OVERTIME

Mega Superbet basketball players recorded an important overtime victory against Krka, winning 103:98 (15:17, 26:31, 27:16, 14:18, 21:16) in Round 6 of the ABA League Play-out at the Ranko Žeravica Sports Hall. Vule Avdalović’s squad found themselves trailing after the first half but managed to orchestrate a comeback in the third quarter and establish control. The guests tried everything to get back into the game, resulting in a fierce battle for every possession, but Mega successfully repelled the rival’s surges until the final moments, when Krka managed to close the gap and eventually force overtime in the closing seconds. Nevertheless, Avdalović’s team showed strong character in the additional five minutes to secure a valuable triumph, improving their record to 10-13, while handing the Slovenian team their 15th defeat (8-15).

The standout performer for Mega Superbet was Bogoljub Marković, who delivered another phenomenal performance, finishing the game with a double-double of 30 points and 10 rebounds, along with a performance index rating (PIR) of 41! Nikola Đurišić also made a significant contribution, ending the night with 19 points and six assists, followed by Luigi Suigo with 14 points and seven rebounds, and Savo Drezgić, who also reached 14 points.

For Krka, Sukhmail Mathon scored 23 points, Niko Bačvić added 15, while Žak Smrekar recorded 11.

Mega opened the match well, leading 6:2, but a turnaround followed as the guests pulled away with a scoring run by the middle of the opening period. Mega responded and tied the game (13:13), but the first break ended 17:15 in favor of Krka. Upon returning to the court, the Slovenian team went on another run, reaching a double-digit lead, but Avdalović’s team reacted well again, narrowing the deficit to 30:33 within a few minutes. Another surge from Krka followed, pushing their lead back to double digits, leading 48:41 after 20 minutes.

Mega entered the second half brilliantly, using a 10:2 run to take the lead (51:50). A back-and-forth battle ensued with frequent lead changes before Avdalović’s team ramped up the intensity, with Marković pushing them to a five-point advantage, leading 68:64 after 30 minutes. The battle continued in the decisive quarter. Mega prevented the rival from reclaiming the lead in the opening minutes and then pulled further away through Suigo and Đurišić (77:69). However, the guests did not give up, closing the gap in the final seconds and eventually forcing overtime.

As expected, an intense struggle took place in the extra five minutes, with Mega pulling ahead entering the final 60 seconds following a three-pointer by Marković. Drezgić followed suit, giving Avdalović’s squad a five-point cushion with 28 seconds remaining. The rival did not surrender but failed to equalize again, as Drezgić secured the big victory for Mega Superbet with a three-pointer in the dying moments of the match.

In the next round of the ABA League Play-out phase, Mega Superbet will visit Studentski Centar in Podgorica, with the match scheduled for Monday, April 13, at 18:00.

Mega Superbet: Milenković, Davis, Drezgić 14, Marković 30 (10 reb, PIR 41), Vukčević, Kroflič 7, Siby 9, Suigo 14 (7 reb), Đurišić 19 (6 ast, PIR 20), Srzentić 6, Gačić 2, Mušicki 2.

Krka: Mubaarak Brantley 8, Bačvić 15, Helmanis 6, Oman 5, Urbiha 9, Mahkovic 4, Smrekar 11, Rebec 8, Mathon 23, Klobučar, Šantelj 9.

Photo: Mega Superbet