Ilirija survives a thriller to end the Top 8 with a win against Vojvodina mts
Ilirija survived a thrilling OT matchup against group leaders Vojvodina mts to end the Top 8 with a victory.
(Photo: Ilirija/Filip Barbalic)
NLB ABA League 2 Top 8 Round 6, Tuesday, 1 April 2025:
ILIRIJA - Vojvodina mts 86:81 (22:12, 20:16, 14:22, 18:24, 12:7)
PHOTO GALLERY
POST-GAME COMMENTS
In the final game of the Top 8 of the NLB ABA League 2, Ilirija faced Vojvodina mts in a battle for first place, as both teams were already set for the semi-finals. Ilirija needed to win by 38 points to claim the top spot due to their previous loss to Vojvodina mts in Novi Sad. They started strong, leading 42-28 at halftime. However, Vojvodina mts staged a comeback in the second half, tying the game at 74 and forcing overtime.
The thrilling extra period saw key plays from both teams. Uroš Banjac hit a three-pointer to give Vojvodina a brief lead at 81-79, but Luka Kureš responded with a pivotal three-pointer for Ilirija, putting them ahead 82-81 with just 45 seconds left. Ilirija held on to clinch the victory 86-81. Kureš was the standout player for Ilirija, scoring a game-high 24 points. Banjac posted a double-double for Vojvodina with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Both teams ended the Top 8 with a 4-2 record, with Vojvodina securing first place and set to face Bosna Visit Sarajevo in the semi-finals, while Ilirija will play Zlatibor Mozzart.
Stats
Players on court
| ILI | Min | PtsP | RebsR | AssA | StS | FoulF | ValV | |
| 0 | Golson jr. V. | 27:06 | 13 | 5 | 7 | 0 | 4 | 18 |
| 4 | Ferme T. | 28:32 | 13 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 11 |
| 6 | Škorjanc G. | 16:06 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| 8 | Tomažič T. | 39:23 | 11 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 18 |
| 35 | Kureš L. | 35:13 | 24 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 24 |
| VOJ | Min | PtsP | RebsR | AssA | StS | FoulF | ValV | |
| 0 | Rebrača F. | 32:48 | 9 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 17 |
| 2 | Banjac U. | 34:55 | 12 | 12 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 20 |
| 11 | Smith D. | 32:48 | 10 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 6 |
| 13 | Savić S. | 23:06 | 11 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 8 |
| 21 | Jagodić Kuridža M. | 33:18 | 16 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 11 |
Last 5 actions
| Min | Score | Action |
| game finished | ||
| end of OT1 | ||
| 00:11 (OT1) | 4 FERME T. substitution (in) | |
| 00:11 (OT1) | 15 JOCKUCH K. substitution (out) | |
| 00:11 (OT1) | 8 TOMAŽIČ T. foul on | |
| 00:11 (OT1) | 21 JAGODIĆ KURIDŽA M. turnover (offensive) |
|
Top players
| VALUE (INDEX) | ||||
| Kureš L. | 24 | - | 20 | Banjac U. |
| POINTS | ||||
| Kureš L. | 24 | - | 16 | Jagodić Kuridža M. |
| REBOUNDS | ||||
| Jockuch K. | 13 | - | 12 | Banjac U. |
| ASSISTS | ||||
| Golson jr. V. | 7 | - | 4 | Jagodić Kuridža M. |
