MEGA SUPERBET DEFEATED IN A TENSE FINISH ON THE ROAD IN PODGORICA

Mega Superbet basketball team suffered a loss in Round 8 of the ABA League play-out phase, as they were defeated in Podgorica by SC Derby with a score of 85:89 (22:21, 19:30, 24:16, 20:22). The team led by coach Vuleta Avdalović started the game well, but the opponent caught up toward the end of the first quarter. A turnaround followed in the second period, but Mega fully recovered by the end of the third quarter. In the decisive quarter, a fierce battle unfolded, but the home team secured the win in a close finish. Mega Superbet now holds a 10–14 record, while Studentski centar stands at 7–17.

Top performers for Mega Superbet were Nikola Đurišić with 18 points and five assists, and Bogoljub Marković with a double-double of 16 points and 14 rebounds, while Asim Đulović also scored 16. Luiđi Suigo also reached double digits with 12 points and added seven rebounds.

For Studentski centar, Matic Rebec scored 20 points, Nikola Pavlićević added 18, Aleksa Ilić and Mateo Drežnjak contributed 16 each, while Darius Johnson scored 10.

Mega opened the game excellently, going on an 8:0 run in the first two and a half minutes. However, step by step, the home team fought back and cut the deficit to just one point (14:15) with two and a half minutes remaining in the first quarter. Avdalović’s team withstood that push, but the score was tied in the final minute. Still, the home side failed to take the lead, and Đulović ensured Mega entered the break with a narrow advantage (22:21) from the free-throw line. However, in the second quarter, the Podgorica team turned the game around. The lead changed hands multiple times, but SC Derby managed to pull away toward the end of the first half, sending Mega into halftime with a double-digit deficit (41:51).

The home players resisted Mega’s comeback attempts for much of the third quarter, but Đurišić and Marković managed to erase most of the deficit in the closing minutes, leaving Avdalović’s team just two points behind (65:67) before the final period. At the very start of the fourth quarter, Mega took the lead, followed by an intense battle for every possession. Mega briefly pulled ahead, but the home team quickly responded and regained the lead—setting up a dramatic finish. After free throws by Mušicki, Mega led 83:82 with two minutes remaining, but SC Derby responded once again and took the lead back. The home team then extended the advantage from the free-throw line and ultimately secured the victory.

In the next, 9th round of the ABA League play-out phase, Mega Superbet will host Split. The game is scheduled for Monday, April 20, at 19:00, at Ranko Žeravica Sports Hall.

Mega Superbet: Milenković, Davis, Đulović 16, Drezgić 6 (5 ast), Marković 16 (14 reb, index 20), Vukčević 2, Kroflič 9, Sibi 4, Suigo 12 (7 reb), Đurišić 18 (5 ast, index 23), Srzentić, Mušicki 2

Studentski centar: Rebec 20, Ilić 16, Johnson 10, Pavlićević 18, Anđušić, Hadžibegović 4, Šaranović, Bogdanović, Todorović, Davis 5, Din, Drežnjak 16

Photo: SC Derby