Split pull off a major comeback to beat Cibona in match of the round

ABA League Round 6, Sunday, 8 November 2020:

SPLIT - Cibona 77:74 (9:24, 22:20, 29:17, 17:13)

PHOTO GALLERY

POST-GAME COMMENTS

Game recap: What an evening for Split! The yellow-and-black crew have triumphed in this week’s ABA League match of the round after beating their big rivals Cibona. And it was not just an ordinary win. Split have managed to come back from a 19-point deficit and then to seize the big win in a thrilling ending.

This was the 2^nd win in a row for Split in this season and they now have the overall score of 3-3, while on the other side Cibona’s current season score is 2-4.

Key moments: Cibona made a flying start in this match and they won the first quarter by 24:9. The visitors even managed to increase that lead to 19 points as they were up by 34:15 in the middle of the 2^nd quarter. But, that is when Split started their stunning comeback. The home side has reduced the gap to 13 points by the halftime – 44:31, while then the yellow-and-black squad scored no less than 29 points in the 3^rd period and reduced Cibona’s lead to just one point – 61:60.

The winner of this match was decided in the final moments of the 4^th quarter. Blaž Mesiček made a very important 3-pointer on 1 minute before the end to  put Split in front – 76:73. On the other side of the court, Josip Bilinovac made just 1 free throw for Cibona – 76:74, while the key moment happened in the following play.

Split failed to score points as Sani Čampara missed a jumper, but then Pavle Marčinković made the crucial steal to bring the ball-possession back to the home team. Cibona had to make a quick foul and they sent Blaž Mesiček to the free-throw line, while this player made one out of two free throws – 77:74 for Split. With just 4 seconds left on the game clock, Cibona called for a time-out after which they pulled off a very good play for Ronald Moore who had a chance to take this game into overtime, but his 3-point shot was not good.

Man of the match: Blaž Mesiček and Marko Luković were the top scorers in the winning team with 16 points each and they both deserve this award. Luković was 4/4 for 3-points, while Mesiček scored some big shots in the 4th quarter.  

Can't trick the stats: This is one of the those games where the stats might actually trick you. Cibona had 19 rebounds more than Split, while it is worth mentioning that the visitors made 21 offensive rebounds in this match. Also, Cibona made 5 assists more than Split, yet at the end Cibona lost this game against Split.