Krka Survive an Overtime Thriller in Zadar

AdmiralBet ABA League Play-out Round 8, Friday, 13 March 2026:

Zadar – KRKA 66:72 (16:25, 14:17, 17:10, 16:11, 3:9)

PHOTO GALLERY
POST-GAME COMMENTS

Game recap: In the Round 3 of the AdmiralBet ABA League Play-out, Krka have pevented a major comeback by Zadar to prevail over the Dalmatian side on the road in Jazine Sports Hall in Zadar. It is an important win for the Novo mesto squad, that ties them in the standings with Zadar after 3 rounds of the Play-out, with a 7:12 record each and both of the two squads will be placed just below the Play-in zone after 3 rounds of the Play-out.

Key moments: Krka have been the ones that have got off to a better start in the legendary Jazine, and they were ahead by 9 points by the end of the first quarter (16:25) and already by 18 points (30:48) in the 22nd minute of the game. And just when it seemed like this would be a point of no return for the hosts into the battle for the win, Zadar came up with a 25:4 run over the span of the next 11 minutes of the game and took their only second lead of the game in the 33rd minute of the game. We were in for a thrilling finish, where the game could truly go either way, but after Žak Smrekar only converted one free throw out of 3 with 18 seconds to go in the game and Krševan Klarica missed a game-winning 3-pointer attempt on the other end afterwards, the game went into overtime.

In the extra 5 minutes, Krka have only allowed Zadar to score 3 points, while scoring 9 points themselves and the win goes to Novo mesto.

Man of the match: Niko Bačvić has been shining throughout the game in Jazine, as he had 17 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals and a valuation of 27 on his record. He is our man of the match!

Can’t trick the stats: Krka have had 40 rebounds, while Zadar had 36 and that’s what made the difference in this close encounter in the end.