Perspektiva Ilirija Beats Bosna BH Telecom on the Road in Sarajevo

AdmiralBet ABA League Round 18, Saturday, 7 February 2026:

Bosna BH Telecom - PERSPEKTIVA ILIRIJA 78:93 (29:26, 11:26, 24:24, 14:17)

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POST-GAME COMMENTS

Game Recap: Perspektiva Ilirija secured an important road victory in Round 18 of the AdmiralBet ABA League Group B, defeating Bosna BH Telecom 93:78 in Sarajevo. The hosts opened the game with confidence and energy, controlling the early tempo and taking a narrow lead after the first quarter. However, the momentum shifted decisively before halftime, allowing the visitors to take command of the contest.

Ilirija imposed their rhythm in the second quarter, tightening their defense and capitalizing on transition opportunities to build a double-digit advantage by the break. Bosna attempted to respond after halftime and showed greater offensive balance in the third period, but the Slovenian side maintained control and consistently answered every run. A strong start to the final quarter removed any remaining doubt, as Ilirija calmly closed out the game to seal a deserved win.

Key Moments: The game swung decisively at the transition from the first to the second quarter. After Bosna controlled the early stages and finished the opening period in front, Perspektiva Ilirija closed the quarter strongly and then completely took over at the start of the second. The visitors went on a massive 20:0 scoring run that stretched from the final minutes of the first quarter deep into the second, instantly flipping the game on its head.

During that stretch, Bosna struggled to generate offense, while Ilirija punished every mistake and built a double-digit advantage that set the tone for the remainder of the night. Bosna managed to stabilize after halftime and showed a stronger response in the third quarter, briefly reducing the deficit, but Ilirija never allowed the momentum to fully shift back. A composed start to the fourth quarter by the visitors extended the lead once more and removed any remaining doubt about the outcome.

Man of the Match: Mark Padjen was the standout performer for Perspektiva Ilirija, earning the award with an all-around display. Padjen finished the game with 21 points, 6 assists, and 3 steals, consistently making the right decisions in key moments.

Beyond his scoring, Padjen controlled the pace offensively, created high-quality looks for his teammates, and applied defensive pressure. His composure during Ilirija’s decisive runs played a central role in maintaining their advantage and guiding the team through crucial stretches of the game.

Can’t Trick the Stats: One of the decisive statistical factors came from the bench, where Perspektiva Ilirija gained a clear edge. The visitors received significant contributions from their second unit, outscoring Bosna’s bench 39–25. That depth allowed Ilirija to sustain intensity throughout the game, particularly during momentum-shifting phases in the second and fourth quarters.

While Bosna relied heavily on their starters to stay competitive, Ilirija’s bench provided scoring, energy, and defensive presence, ensuring there was no drop-off when rotations were used. That balance proved vital over forty minutes and was a key element in Ilirija’s ability to pull away and secure the final result.