U-BT Cluj-Napoca start their AdmiralBet ABA League journey with a thrilling overtime win vs. Krka
U-BT Cluj-Napoca scored a thrilling road win in their first ever game in the AdmiralBet ABA League.
(Photo: Krka/Drago Perko/kosarka.si)
2025/26 AdmiralBet ABA League Group A Round 2, Saturday, 11 October 2025:
Krka – U-BT CLUJ-NAPOCA 83:85 (17:27, 19:13, 23:18, 18:19, 6:8)
Game Recap: U-BT Cluj-Napoca made a memorable entrance into the AdmiralBet ABA League, celebrating a dream start to their debut season with a thrilling 85:83 overtime road win against Krka. It was a game that had everything - energy, comebacks, and drama right until the very last second.
The visitors from Cluj began their ABA journey in impressive fashion, delivering a near-perfect opening quarter in which they scored 27 points and gained a 10-point lead (27:17). However, Krka gradually found their rhythm and began chipping away at the deficit. By the end of the third quarter, the home side had completely turned things around and even took the lead at 59:58.
The final quarter brought pure basketball drama. The teams traded baskets and exchanged leads multiple times, setting up a tense finish. With the score tied at 77:77, Jan Rebec had a chance to seal the win for Krka at the buzzer, but his mid-range attempt narrowly missed, sending the game into overtime.
Key Moments: The extra five minutes kept fans on the edge of their seats. Krka started overtime with four consecutive points, appearing to have the momentum on their side. But U-BT Cluj-Napoca showed remarkable composure, responding with a decisive 6:0 run in the final two minutes to take an 85:83 lead.
Still, the drama wasn’t over. With just two seconds remaining, Lovro Urbiha had the chance to tie the game from the free-throw line but missed both attempts. Krka secured the offensive rebound and had one last look - yet Jan Rebec’s desperate three-pointer from way downtown fell short, sealing a historic victory for U-BT Cluj-Napoca in their AdmiralBet ABA League debut.
Man of the Match: Mitchell Creek.
The leader of U-BT Cluj-Napoca’s triumph was Mitchell Creek, who delivered an all-around performance with 19 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists.
Can’t Trick the Stats: Statistically, the game was evenly balanced, but a few numbers told the story. U-BT Cluj-Napoca dished out 5 assists more than Krka, showing better team ball movement and offensive organization. Still, all the stats boil down to Krka’s missed opportunities - the failed buzzer-beater at the end of regulation and the missed free throws and three-pointer in overtime that ultimately decided the outcome.
Stats
Players on court
| KRK | Min | PtsP | RebsR | AssA | StS | FoulF | ValV | |
| 12 | Bailey Jr. V. | 35:37 | 29 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 25 |
| 13 | Urbiha L. | 23:54 | 3 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| 24 | Smrekar Ž. | 30:36 | 21 | 9 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 25 |
| 31 | Rebec J. | 30:05 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| 41 | Mathon S. | 32:18 | 20 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 20 |
| CLU | Min | PtsP | RebsR | AssA | StS | FoulF | ValV | |
| 10 | Miletić D. | 13:57 | 12 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 11 |
| 11 | Russell D. | 31:34 | 12 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 11 |
| 22 | Woodbury T. | 25:22 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 31 | Mensah N. | 33:12 | 9 | 12 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 16 |
| 55 | Creek M. | 35:42 | 19 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 22 |
Top players
| VALUE (INDEX) | ||||
| Bailey Jr. V. | 25 | - | 22 | Creek M. |
| POINTS | ||||
| Bailey Jr. V. | 29 | - | 19 | Creek M. |
| REBOUNDS | ||||
| Mathon S. | 10 | - | 12 | Mensah N. |
| ASSISTS | ||||
| Rebec J. | 6 | - | 5 | Russell D. |
