Vienna Prevailed at Home Beating SC Derby

AdmiralBet ABA League Play-out Round 3, Saturday, 14 March 2026:

VIENNA - SC Derby 91:79 (16:23, 28:15, 21:18, 26:23)

PHOTO GALLERY
POST-GAME COMMENTS

Game Recap: Vienna secured an important victory in Round 3 of the AdmiralBet ABA League play-out phase, defeating SC Derby 91:79 on their home court. The visitors from Podgorica opened the game in strong fashion and held the lead after the first quarter, but the Austrian side responded with a dominant second period and maintained control for most of the remainder of the contest.

SC Derby started confidently and built a solid advantage in the opening quarter, executing efficiently on offense and keeping Vienna at bay defensively. However, the momentum shifted dramatically in the second quarter. Vienna stepped up its defensive pressure and capitalized on turnovers, turning the game around with a strong scoring run that erased the deficit and sent the home side into halftime with a six-point lead.

In the second half, Vienna continued to dictate the pace. Although SC Derby managed to trim the margin at times, the hosts maintained their composure and kept a comfortable cushion heading into the final period. The visitors made one last push early in the fourth quarter, but Vienna responded with a decisive run that restored a double-digit advantage and effectively secured the win.

Key Moments: The turning point of the game came in the second quarter. After trailing midway through the period, Vienna produced a 16:0 scoring run that completely changed the flow of the matchup. What had been a controlled start for SC Derby quickly turned into a game led by the home side.

Later, in the final quarter, SC Derby mounted a comeback and cut the deficit to just a single point. However, Vienna responded at the right moment. An 8:0 run midway through the quarter pushed the lead back into double digits and removed any remaining doubt about the outcome, allowing the hosts to close out the contest with confidence.

Man of the Match: Marko Pavićević delivered a standout performance and played a crucial role in Vienna’s victory. The forward finished the night with 26 points, 12 rebounds, and 1 steal, leading his team both offensively and on the glass. His ability to score consistently while also controlling the boards provided the foundation for Vienna’s strong inside presence throughout the game.

Can’t Trick the Stats: Vienna’s physical presence near the basket proved to be a decisive factor, and the numbers clearly reflect that advantage.

The home team dominated the offensive glass, collecting 16 offensive rebounds compared to just 4 by SC Derby. That extra effort translated directly into scoring opportunities, as Vienna also led convincingly in second-chance points (18–3).

Additionally, Vienna imposed itself inside the paint, outscoring SC Derby 58–34 in points in the paint. The combination of strong rebounding, interior scoring, and second-chance production allowed the Austrian side to control the physical battle and ultimately play a key role in securing the victory.