Laktaši remain Olimpija's nemesis – second win of the season for Igokea
Igokea have acheived their second win of the season by overcoming Union Olimpija thanks to their comeback in the final minutes of the game. Still winless Union Olimpija are still waiting for their historical first ever win in Laktaši.
James Robinson (Photo: Igokea/Nenad Vuruna)
Igokea have acheived their second win of the season by overcoming Union Olimpija thanks to their comeback in the final minutes of the game. Still winless Union Olimpija are still waiting for their historical first ever win in Laktaši.
ABA League, Round 3, Thursday, 6.10.2016:
IGOKEA – Union Olimpija 73:72 (20:19, 18:16, 15:19, 20:18)
Story of the game: After a thriller in the dying seconds of the game, Igokea managed to beat Union Olimpija at home in Laktaši, which remain cursed for the Ljubljana side, which are still waiting for their historical first ever win in in that town. Igokea are now in the upper part of the standings with 2:1 score after three games played, while Union Olimpija are still winless with two games behind them.
Key moments: The game was literally decided in the last second when Brandon Jefferson desperately tried to beat the buzzer with his 3-point shot attempt in the last ball posession for which Olimpija had only four seconds left. Before that, it already looked like Olimpija were going to take the two points home, as Gregor Hrovat gave them a one-point lead with 16 seconds left with his 2+1 play. However, on the other side, Nikola Janković fouled James Robinson in the last posession of Igokea. Robinson hit both free throws and set the game's final score of 73:72.
Man of the match: Previously mentioned James Robinson was the hero of the game, not only for scoring the decisive free throws for Igokea, but also for leading his team in scoring throughout the game with 16 points. He added 3 assists, 2 rebounds and a steal to his stats, which earned him the man of the match award.
Can't trick the stats: Now taking care of the ball enough is the thing that cost Union Olimpija the victory this time in Laktaši. They were better than Igokea in almost every statistical category – except turnovers, which they collected 18 in comparison to 10 by Igokea. That was the decisive thing this time around.
