Partizan NIS the first to upset Zvezda this season
In a tremendous environment in Aleksandar Nikolić Hall, the 6,500 Partizan NIS fans saw their team to become the first to beat Crvena zvezda mts this season in the ABA League.
Partizan NIS team (Photo: Partizan NIS)
ABA League Regular Season, Round 21, Sunday, 5.2.2017:
PARTIZAN NIS – Crvena zvezda mts 86:81 (21:17, 25:29, 21:26, 19:9)
Game recap: Partizan NIS have confirmed their second spot in the standings with a breathtaking performance against Crvena zvezda mts and a victory, which not many have expected before the game. The black and white have led for the majority of the game and in the end became the first team this season to take the two points in a game against Crvena zvezda mts this season in the ABA League. This win keeps Partizan NIS in the second place in the standings with 16 wins after 21 rounds this season, while Zvezda remain on the top with 20 wins gathered this season in the regional competition.
Key moments: The game got decided no earlier than with a minute and a half left on the clock. Right before that, it has been a 4-point game (82:78) and Charles Jenkins had 2 free throws. He missed both. On the other end, Will Hatcher scored from the free throw line to make it 83:78. However, the same player decided the winner with his 3-point shot with 1:25 on the clock, which put Partizan up 86:78. Zvezda never recovered.
The decisive moment of the game:
Man of the match: Not only is Will Hatcher the game hero because of the aforementioned three-pointer, but also since he led his team towards the win in scoring (20 points) and passing (5 assists), while grabbing 2 rebounds. His valuation was a game-high of 22 and he is rightfully our man of the match.
Can't trick the stats: Partizan had a more successful shooting night than their eternal rivals. They ended the derby with 36% (10/28) from beyond the arc, in comparison with 26% (6/23) of Zvezda. This is what decided the winner.
