Borac Mozzart Completed a Second-half Comeback to Beat Krka

AdmiralBet ABA League Round 16, Saturday, 24 January 2026:

BORAC MOZZART - Krka 71:69 (18:26; 19:16; 18:6; 16:21)

PHOTO GALLERY
POST-GAME COMMENTS

Game Recap: Borac Mozzart secured a valuable home win over Krka in a tightly contested Round 16 matchup, edging past the Slovenian side 71:69 after 40 minutes of intense basketball. With both teams entering the game level in the standings and the group phase approaching its decisive stretch, the importance of the contest was evident from the opening tip.

Krka set the early tone behind confident perimeter shooting and carried a narrow advantage through the first quarter. The visitors briefly stretched the gap into double digits in the second period, but Borac responded with improved defensive intensity and a timely scoring run to keep the game within reach at halftime.

The balance shifted after the break. Borac slowed the tempo, imposed physical defense, and began to control the interior, turning a slim deficit into a lead by the end of the third quarter. The final period delivered a dramatic finish, with both sides trading scores until the closing seconds, where Borac showed greater composure to seal the win.

Key Moments: The first decisive swing came late in the second quarter, when Borac erased a double-digit deficit with a 10-point burst fueled by defensive stops and quick conversion in transition. That momentum carried into the third quarter, where Borac allowed Krka just three points over a six-minute span, transforming the game with a 7–0 run and establishing control heading into the final frame.

In the closing minute, with the margin razor-thin, Borac executed when it mattered most. Pavle Nikolić converted a crucial inside basket to restore a three-point cushion, and after Krka responded from the free-throw line, Borac again held its nerve. Nikolić’s late free throw proved decisive, ensuring the hosts remained in front during the game’s final possession.

Man of the Match: Pavle Nikolić delivered a dominant all-around performance, finishing with 27 points, 12 rebounds, and 2 steals for a valuation of 39. He was Borac’s offensive anchor throughout the night and rose to the occasion in the decisive moments, directly influencing the outcome with key scores in the final minute.

Can’t Trick the Stats: Efficiency in the paint ultimately separated the two teams. Borac Mozzart converted 51% of its two-point attempts (23/45), generating 44 points in the paint and consistently capitalizing on interior opportunities. Krka, by contrast, managed just 35% shooting from two-point range (11/31), resulting in only 22 points inside. That disparity around the basket played a decisive role in a game settled by just two points.