Cibona clinches dramatic victory against Samobor in round 20

As part of the 20th round of the SuperSport Premijer liga, Cibona visited the Samobor Arena where they managed to defeat the home team KK Samobor with a 88-90 scoreline. The match was extremely balanced from the start, featuring numerous lead changes that kept the crowd on edge until the final buzzer.

A balanced first half

The game opened with Justin Roberson and Renato Serdarušić putting Cibona ahead 4-0 early on. However, the hosts, led by an inspired Burns, quickly found their rhythm. The first quarter ended with a slight advantage for the visitors (25-29), but Samobor fought back through Krajnović and Levanić-Kutni to take the lead in the second period. The teams went into the halftime break tied at 49-49, signaling an exciting second half.

Second half thriller and Bart's clutch three

The third quarter saw a continuation of the fierce battle, with neither side able to pull away. A pivotal moment occurred mid-way through the final period when Roberson, Cibona's top scorer at the time, picked up his fifth personal foul. Nevertheless, Bart stepped up when it mattered most, hitting a crucial three-pointer to extend the lead to seven with four minutes remaining. Despite Samobor's comeback attempt, they lacked composure in the closing moments.

Six seconds of pure drama

The final 30 seconds were filled with tension. Holding a three-point lead, Cibona missed both free throws, giving Samobor a chance to tie or win. After Burns made one free throw, the ball got stuck between the rim and the backboard on the second attempt, leaving six seconds for a final home attack. However, Coles missed the potential game-winning shot, securing a hard-fought win for Cibona.

Top performers

The most efficient players for Cibona were:

Kamaka Hepa - 19 points

Justin Roberson - 17 points

Jan Palokaj - crucial free throws and assists

For the hosts, Luka Krajnović stood out with 26 points, while Burns contributed 24 points.

The statistics can be viewed HERE.