Zadar Blows Past Split To Claim Their 5th Straight Dalmatian Derby Win

AdmiralBet ABA League Play-out Round 2, Friday, 6 March 2026:

ZADAR - Split 106:77 (28:21, 38:23, 26:19, 14:14)

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POST-GAME COMMENTS

Game Recap: Zadar delivered a commanding performance in Round 2 of the AdmiralBet ABA League Play-out phase, defeating Split 106:77 in a game that was largely decided before the final quarter. Motivated after a narrow defeat in the recent domestic cup final between the same sides, the home team entered the contest with clear intent and quickly established control.

The opening quarter already hinted at the offensive rhythm that would define the evening. A series of early three-pointers and aggressive drives created separation, allowing Zadar to close the first period ahead 28:21. Split remained within reach thanks to the scoring of Shannon Shorter—actually wait (I must not invent). Correction: Myers. Let’s keep Myers.

Split relied heavily on Myers early on, but Zadar’s offensive flow intensified in the second quarter. Despite Split briefly cutting the deficit to four points, the hosts responded with a powerful scoring burst that included outside shooting and strong individual plays. By halftime, the margin had grown significantly to 66:44.

The third quarter confirmed the direction of the game. A barrage of three-pointers pushed the difference beyond 30 points, removing any realistic hope of a comeback. Although Split managed a few solid stretches later in the game, the gap never seriously threatened to shrink. Zadar eventually cruised through the final period and comfortably crossed the 100-point mark, sealing a convincing 106:77 victory.

Key Moments: Split briefly reignited the contest early in the second quarter when Anticevich and Myers combined to reduce the gap to just four points at 36:32. At that stage, the momentum seemed to be shifting toward the visitors.

However, Zadar quickly regained control through a decisive offensive surge. Three-pointers from Kapusta and Žganec halted Split’s run, before Vladimir Mihailović took over late in the half. He delivered a sequence of key plays, converting two and-one opportunities and knocking down a pair of triples that dramatically widened the margin. That stretch propelled Zadar to a 22-point halftime lead and firmly placed the hosts in command.

Any remaining suspense disappeared at the beginning of the third quarter. Consecutive three-pointers from Tišma, Mihailović and Ramljak sparked another run that lifted the advantage to 75:44. With the difference surpassing 30 points, the outcome was effectively decided long before the final buzzer.

Man of the Match: Vladimir Mihailović produced an outstanding offensive display and was the undisputed Man of the Match.

The Zadar guard finished the night with 31 points and 4 assists while hitting an impressive eight three-pointers. Beyond the numbers, his scoring burst late in the second quarter proved pivotal, as it transformed a competitive game into a comfortable halftime advantage. His efficiency from long range and ability to score in key moments set the tone for his team’s dominant offensive showing.

Can't Trick the Stats: Three-point shooting proved to be the clearest statistical difference between the two sides.

Zadar delivered one of the most accurate long-range performances in league history, connecting on 22 three-pointers at a remarkable 53.7 percent success rate. The total stands as the second-highest number of made threes in a single game in AdmiralBet ABA League history, just one shy of the all-time record.

Split, on the other hand, struggled to find the same rhythm from the perimeter. The visitors made just 9 of their attempts from beyond the arc, shooting 29 percent.

That 13-three difference from long distance translated directly into a massive scoring gap, underlining how decisive perimeter accuracy was in shaping the final outcome.