MEGA SUPERBET LOSE TO CSKA AT THE SPORTS HALL

Mega Superbet suffered a defeat in Round 4 of the Winline Basket Cup, losing to Moscow’s CSKA at the Ranko Žeravica Sports Hall, 70–98 (17–26, 13–19, 18–20, 20–31). Vule Avdalović’s team held their own against the more experienced opponent from the middle of the first quarter until the middle of the second, but CSKA then managed to pull away and build a double-digit lead before halftime. Mega tried in every possible way to get back into the game and kept fighting until the very end, but the Moscow side preserved their advantage and extended it further in the closing stretch to secure the win. With two rounds remaining in the group phase, Mega Superbet hold a 2–2 record, while CSKA recorded their third victory (3–1).

Bogoljub Marković finished the game with 12 points and four rebounds, Kyrell Luke scored 10, while Asim Đulović, Savo Drezgić, Luigi Suigo, and Lazar Gačić each added nine points.

For CSKA, Aleksandr Chadov led the way with 18 points, while former Mega player Samson Ruzhentsev added 16. Prior to the game, Ruzhentsev received a ceremonial gift from the club’s general manager Goran Ćakić. Melo Trimble also stood out with 14 points, and Ivan Ukhov contributed 12.

The visitors from Moscow opened the game better, taking an early 8–2 lead, but Mega found their rhythm through Gačić and matched CSKA well for the remainder of the first quarter. After a basket by Suigo and two free throws from Gačić, Mega cut the deficit to just one point, but CSKA closed the quarter with a new run and went into the break up 26–17. Mega started the second quarter well and, after a three-pointer by Marković, trimmed the margin to 26–30. However, the reigning VTB League champions responded once again and within a few minutes rebuilt a double-digit lead, heading into halftime ahead 45–30.

Mega continued to fight and looked for ways to get back into contention, but the far more experienced opponent calmly protected—and even increased—their advantage. The final quarter began with CSKA leading 65–48. Avdalović’s players battled hard, showing strong motivation to mount a comeback and defend their home court, as well as to take a big step toward the final stage of the Winline Basket Cup. They had their moments and managed to reduce the deficit, but whenever it seemed they might fully close the gap, CSKA had an answer. The Moscow side held firm and then pulled away again in the closing minutes, celebrating a win at the Sports Hall.

Mega Superbet will play their next Winline Basket Cup game on February 11, away against Lokomotiv Kuban in Krasnodar.

Mega Superbet: Đulović 9, Drezgić 9, Marković 12, Krofl ić 7, Sibi 3, Milenković, Luke 10, Vukčević 2, Suigo 9, Srzentić, Gačić 9, Mušicki

CSKA Moscow: Trimble 14, Ukhov 12, Antonov 3, Jean-Charles 10, Kurbanov 1, Ware 8, Ruzhentsev 16, Gankevich, Astapkovich 7, Chadov 18, Zaitsev 3, Mitrović 6

Photo: Mega Superbet