SuperSport Premier League: Zabok turned the game around in the last quarter and overpowered Cibona

Hepa scored the first points of the game with a free throw, followed immediately by a basket from Roberson. Nakić Vojnović tied the score with a basket and one made free throw. The halfway point of the opening quarter brought balanced play on both ends, both on the court and on the scoreboard. A three-pointer by Karlo Uljarević and a basket from Henrik Širko gave Zabok a four-point lead (14–10). The basket-for-basket rhythm continued throughout the remainder of the quarter, and with a minute and a half left the score stood at 19–19. Mario Rajčić then scored to put Zabok ahead, prompting Cibona head coach Ivan Rudež to call a timeout. Cibona responded with several points and solid defense, allowing them to close the first quarter with a 23–22 lead.

Pavao Paić opened the second quarter with a basket. However, Cibona entered the period aggressively and executed better offensively, building a 31–24 advantage over the next few possessions. Zabok head coach Ivan Tomas was forced to call a timeout. After the break, Paić scored following an assist from Karlo Uljarević, and after a turnover the home team regained possession, although they failed to capitalize. With the score at 26–31 and several mistakes in play, Tomas called another timeout in an attempt to wake up his players. Radovčić then added two points to extend Cibona’s lead to 37–26. Bubalo answered with a three-pointer to cut the deficit, but Katanović responded immediately with a two-point basket (29–39). Two minutes before halftime, Zabok looked completely powerless on the court, while Cibona stretched the lead to 46–29. Karlo Uljarević lifted the home side’s morale somewhat with a three-pointer, but Rudan scored in the closing seconds of the quarter for a 50–34 halftime lead.

The third quarter did not start well for Zabok either. A three-pointer by Henrik Širko and a basket by Tomas finally brought some meaningful scoring for the hosts. Sreten Knežević then hit a three-pointer to make it 42–55. Lončar answered with two points, but Uljarević quickly responded himself (44–57). After another Karlo Uljarević three-pointer cut the gap to 51–57, the visiting coach called a timeout. Two minutes before the end of the quarter, Cibona still held a nine-point lead, though Paić reduced it to 55–62. Amid fluctuations in play from both sides, the penultimate quarter ended 69–58 in favor of Cibona.

Zabok opened the final quarter with a three-pointer from Bubalo, and strong play continued with another three from Rajčić to bring the hosts within 66–71. Cibona answered shortly afterward, leading Ivan Tomas to call another timeout. Several excellent offensive sequences from Zabok brought them to 71–75 and gave hope of a late comeback. Luka Tomas confirmed that momentum with a three-pointer for 74–75, forcing coach Rudež to take a timeout. Luka Tomas then scored again to give Zabok a 76–75 lead. Paić added another basket to extend the advantage to 78–75, and Cibona called timeout once more with three and a half minutes remaining. Hepa tied the game at 78–78 with a three-pointer, but Zabok responded immediately through another triple by Rajčić. With a minute and a half left and the score at 84–83, Ivan Tomas called a timeout, aware that decisive moments were ahead for his team. Rajčić made a free throw, followed by a basket from Širko that gave Zabok a four-point advantage (87–83). The final minute was tense and full of drama, but Zabok held on and secured another victory, winning 89–87.

The most efficient player for Zabok was Pavao Paić with 20 points, while Jan Palokaj led Cibona with 19.

Statistics can be viewed HERE.