Split defeated Mornar in the 22nd round of the ABA League by 87:75, showcasing a shooting exhibition by the home team.
The Split team started the match better than their rivals and quickly reached a 10:3 lead. However, the guests from Montenegro responded with a good run of their own. Nevertheless, Slaven Rimac’s team continued to shoot well and extended their lead to 23:15. Boris Tisma hit the fourth three-pointer of the quarter. It was a very interesting ten minutes, and the team from Bar reduced the deficit to five points, with the score at 24:19.
Tay Waller hit a three-pointer at the beginning of the second quarter. Vito Kucic then scored five consecutive points. The game was fast-paced with many spectacular plays. The Split team went on another big run and extended their lead to plus 11 after Kucic’s second three-pointer. Mornar managed to rally and somewhat get back into the game, but Shannon Shorter found his rhythm again. However, it’s worth mentioning the character of the Barans. They were making three-pointers, their attacks were good, and they constantly stayed in the game. Toni Perkovic scored a basket at the buzzer, making it 50:43 at the 15-minute break.
Weathers opened the second half with a layup, followed by a one-legged shot from Alex Gavrilovic to bring the deficit to three. Finally, Tisma scored the first points of the second half for Split. Once again, the home team had a good period and led 59:51 midway through the third quarter. After a timeout, Marcus Weathers got injured, seeming to dislocate his finger. Without the American, Mornar appeared disoriented, and the hosts extended their lead to 67:54, the score at the end of 30 minutes of basketball.
Perkovic hit another three-pointer at the start of the final quarter, slowing down the rhythm. Shorter made shots, Sullivan layups, and the “Yellow team” gradually brought the game to a close. Weathers returned to the game and had some solid plays, but it was evident that he was limited in his shooting. The players of the home team comfortably and routinely closed out the game, securing their 10th win of the season.
The most efficient player, as expected, was Shorter for Split, scoring 20 points, followed by Perkovic with 14. On the other side, the injured Weathers and Dunn-Martin both scored 17 points. In the next round, Split will travel to Novo Mesto to face Krka, while Mornar will host Igokea in Bar.