Split forces a deciding game, free throws cost Cibona

From the very beginning, it was clear how important this game was. Cibona opened with a 4–0 run, but Split answered with a 5–0 streak to take a 5–4 lead. Cibona’s first three-pointer came from Roberson, only for Drežnjak to respond immediately for Split. The game continued basket for basket, and Dragić hit a three-pointer to make it 15–14. Roberson then committed an offensive foul, giving Split the final possession of the opening quarter with a chance to extend the lead. Marinelli missed, but Split grabbed two offensive rebounds to keep possession, although they still failed to score, leaving the score at 15–14 after the first quarter.

Cibona started the second quarter very poorly, allowing Split to go on a 6–0 run for 21–14, forcing Cibona coach Ivan Rudež to call a timeout. The barrage of three-pointers continued: first Krešimir Radovčić scored for Cibona, then Anticevich for Split, followed by Kamaka Hepa (24–20). Cibona increased the pressure, and Luka Skorić scored five points to cut the deficit to just one. Anticevich answered with a basket, but Hepa converted a three-point play to tie the game at 30–30, forcing Split’s coach to call a timeout.

The teams continued trading baskets before Dragić made another three-pointer, while Jan Palokaj struggled with two difficult attempts. Still, Čakarun scored to make it 37–34. Cibona’s bench called a timeout with 18 seconds left in the half. Their next possession was disrupted by a good defensive play from Jordan, though the ball remained with Cibona with four seconds left. Čakarun made the most of the final possession, scoring a basket plus the free throw, and halftime ended with Cibona leading 39–37. Luka Skorić led Cibona with nine points, while Anticevich also had nine for Split.

The third quarter began with missed shots on both sides. Čakarun scored off Šiško’s sixth assist (39–40), but Cosey answered with a three-pointer to restore Split’s lead. The drama intensified as Cosey hit another three for 49–44, forcing another timeout from Rudež. Cibona then received two technical fouls, allowing Split to build their first eight-point lead of the game (56–48). Cibona refused to give up: Katanović scored, and after a Split turnover, Roberson made it 59–54. Anticevich then added his 11th point to maintain Split’s advantage at 62–56. On Cibona’s final possession of the quarter, Roberson missed, giving Split a chance to extend the lead, but Stephens also missed a three-pointer, keeping the score at 62–56.

Split maintained their rhythm in the final quarter, with Dragić scoring for a 10-point advantage (66–56). While Cibona searched for answers, Drežnjak blocked a shot and tensions continued to rise, leading to a personal foul for Radovčić and an unsportsmanlike foul for Dragić. Rudež called another timeout, which seemed to wake Cibona up. First, Šiško hit a three-pointer, then Cibona forced a steal and Roberson added another three to cut the deficit to 71–67, prompting Split’s bench to take a timeout.

Cibona struggled badly from the free-throw line (50%), and for several minutes neither side managed to produce much offensively, with the score staying at 72–67 entering the final five minutes. Lončar then dunked to bring Cibona within three (72–69). Split gave Cibona opportunities, but the visitors simply could not find their rhythm or turn the game around. Marinelli then buried a three-pointer from eight meters out, allowing Split to breathe again (75–69). Radovčić responded for 77–74, but Marinelli once again hit a crucial shot for 79–74.

With 50 seconds remaining, Roberson blocked Dragić’s shot to give Cibona hope, and Luka Skorić converted a basket plus the free throw to make it 79–77. In the end, the game was decided at the free-throw line: Jordano calmly knocked down all four of his attempts, while Roberson missed one, and Split sealed the game at 83–78, forcing a deciding third game at Dražen Petrović Hall.

Split’s top scorer was Jordano with 14 points, while Roberson led Cibona with 16 points despite struggling from the free-throw line, shooting just 2/6.

Ivan Rudež, Cibona head coach: “My players showed great determination. We stayed in the game, stayed within striking distance, and did a good job defensively, but Split also played a fantastic match. We missed too many free throws, and that costs you dearly in a game like this. Now we’ll prepare for the third game, and I’m looking forward to it".

Statistics can be viewed at THIS LINK.