Late comeback for important Mornar-Barsko zlato win over Igokea m:tel in Bar

AdmiralBet ABA League Round 23, Friday, 15 March 2024:

MORNAR-BARSKO ZLATO – Igokea m:tel 86:84 (20:17, 19:17, 18:28, 29:22)

PHOTO GALLERY
POST-GAME COMMENTS

Game recap: At home in their Topolica Sports Hall in Bar, Mornar-Barsko zlato have made a comeback in the final quarter to prevail over Igokea m:tel. In a thrilling finish of the game, that could have gone either way, the Bar squad have grabbed an exceptionally important win in their battle to avoid relegation, as they are now one win ahead of Krka, which still have their round 23 game left to play. On the other side, Igokea m:tel have suffered a tough loss in their struggle to defend their Top 8 spot until the end of the Regular Season. They are now just one win ahead of the 9th placed Split, that still have to play their Round 23 game.

Key moments: It has been a game of ups and downs. After Mornar-Barsko zlato won the first half by 5 points (39:34), Igokea m:tel fought back in the third quarter, to grab themselves a 5-point lead, heading into the last quarter. However, Mornar-Barsko zlato did not surrender here and came up with another comeback in the final period, leading by 8 points with a bit less than 5 minutes to go in the game (75:67). But that was not all, as Igokea m:tel made the final push and managed to tie the game again late in the playing time. The two squads entered the final 8 seconds with a tied score of 84:84, after which Uroš Luković scored a game-winning putback dunk following the lay-up attempt by Anthony Lewis.

Man of the match: Who else but Uroš Luković? The big man in the ranks of the Bar squad, did not just make the crucial bucket in the end, but has also led his team to the win with 17 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and a game-high valuation of 27 on his record. He is our man of the match!

Can’t trick the stats: Since it has been a very close game, there is no wonder that the teams have been similar in terms of stats. However, Igokea m:tel had 14 turnovers and Mornar-Barsko zlato 12, so perhaps this is the category which has been crucial for the outcome of the game this time