Cibona pulls away in overtime to defeat FMP Soccerbet

AdmiralBet ABA League Round 23, Monday, 27 March 2023:

CIBONA - FMP Soccerbet 110:99 (29:23, 21:27, 21:20, 21:22,1 8:7)

PHOTO GALLERY

Game recap: Cibona got the important home win following an exciting overtime game against FMP Soccerbet. With the win tonight, Cibona remains in the playoff hunt tied with Split sitting at a 9-14 record with their eyes focused on the 8 seed. FMP Soccerbet following this loss drops to 13-10 on the season with Mega MIS breathing down their neck looking at the 5 seed. 

Cibona managed to open up the game better than FMP Soccerbet, they built a 10-point lead in the first quarter but FMP Soccerbet would fight back and tie the game up by the halftime break. The second half was a thrilling and exciting game, neither team could pull away with a lead larger than 4. With two minutes remaining in regulation, Ivan Majcunić hit a big three to give his team an 89:86 lead. On the next possession, Aleksa Stepanović answered back with a three of his own to tie the game back up. 

With a minute remaining in the final quarter, Krešimir Radovčić, who scored 13 points in the third and fourth quarters, hit a clutch three to take a 92:89 lead. FMP Soccerbet had the final possession in regulation, and Charles Moore had ice in his veins when he hit the deep game-tying three to send the game to overtime. 

In the overtime period, Cibona controlled the game, Domagoj Vuković played a big role in the overtime period, he scored 6 important points and had 1 crucial steal to help his squad get the important win. 

Key moments: The key moments in Cibona's important win tonight came in overtime when they closed the period with an 11:0 run and bested FMP Soccerbet in the final five minutes. 

Man of the match: Lovro Mazalin played a hell of a game, he finished the night with 32 points, 13 rebounds, and a valuation rating of 45!

Can't hide the stats: Much like the score, these two teams were tied up in almost every category except one. Free throw shooting proved to be crucial tonight, Cibona was very effective getting to the charity stripe tonight, hitting 34 shots from the line on 40 attempts while FMP Soccerbet attempted only 19 free throws and hit 14 of them.