Igokea pulled off a big surprise in the seventh round of the ABA League after defeating the Partizan team with a score of 91:89.
The game started slowly on both sides. With three-pointers and thanks to the in-form Edin Atic, Igokea managed to take the lead. The visitors had the opportunity to extend their lead more significantly at the end of the first quarter, but they couldn’t succeed. Nevertheless, they led 18:12 after the first period.
Igokea opened the second quarter excellently, establishing a nine-point lead. The black-and-whites tried to close the gap, but the guests had a ready answer for everything. Midway through the second period, Aleksandrovac’s team gained a double-digit advantage.
Partizan scored seven consecutive points, reducing the opponent’s lead to 37:32. Edin Atic responded by scoring five points, bringing his team a ten-point lead. With a better performance in the closing moments of the first half, Igokea went into halftime with a 14-point advantage.
At the start of the second half, the black-and-whites scored five consecutive points, reducing the deficit to 48:39. However, the guests had a new response. With four consecutive three-pointers, they gained a 21-point lead. Partizan tried to catch up throughout the third quarter, but Vladimir Jovanovic’s team had an answer for everything. They entered the last ten minutes with a 19-point lead.
Partizan played with much greater energy in the final quarter. The home team tried everything to close the gap and make the end of the game uncertain. With a series of three-pointers, the black-and-whites managed to come within five points.
The question of the winner was decided in a suspenseful finish. The home team closed in on a three-point deficit, but the guests held off their rival’s surge with free throws. With Uros Trifunovic’s points, the black-and-whites equalized. With two seconds left, Stefan Moody scored to give Igokea a 91:89 lead. Partizan had the last possession but fumbled it, allowing Aleksandrovac to secure a significant triumph.
Nikola Tanaskovic and Marko Jeremic led the guests to win with 17 points each, while on the other side, Zach LeDay had 16 points.
Both teams now have five wins and two losses. Partizan will face Cedevita Olimpija in the next match, while Igokea will play against Buducnost.
PARTIZAN – IGOKEA 89:91 (12:18, 22:30, 23:28, 32:15)
Venue: Stark Arena, Beograd
Referees: Koljensic, Radojkovic, Kardum
Partizan: Vukcevic 3, LeDay 16, Avramovic 7, Koprivica 2, Smailagic 6, Jaramaz 2, Nunnally 7, Trifunovic 15, Andjusic 13, Ponitka 8, Kaminsky 8, Caboclo 2
Igokea: Kondic 7, Boskovic 2, Atic 14, Delalic 0, Tanaskovic 17, Stankovic 0, Nakic 3, Nikolic 10, Milosavljevic 12, Maric 2, Jeremic 17, Moody 7