Zadar Completed A Big Comeback To Beat SC Derby In Jazine

AdmiralBet ABA League Play-out Round 5, Monday, 23 March 2026:

ZADAR - SC Derby 69:62 (16:21, 17:19, 20:18, 16:4)

PHOTO GALLERY
POST-GAME COMMENTS

Game Recap: In Round 5 of the AdmiralBet ABA League Play-Out phase, KK Zadar secured a 69:62 home victory over SC Derby in a game that unfolded in dramatic fashion. Despite trailing for the majority of the contest, the hosts delivered a decisive fourth-quarter turnaround to claim an important win.

SC Derby controlled the tempo early, leading for over 30 minutes and building a double-digit advantage midway through the third quarter. Zadar struggled offensively in the opening stages but stayed within reach thanks to timely three-point shooting. The visitors maintained their edge heading into the final period, but a late surge from the home side ultimately shifted the outcome.

With this result, Zadar strengthened their position in the Play-Out standings, while SC Derby remained at the bottom despite a strong overall performance for much of the game.

Key Moments: The decisive stretch came in the fourth quarter, when Zadar finally translated persistence into control. After chasing the lead throughout the game, the turning point arrived with a deep three-pointer that gave the hosts their first meaningful advantage late on.

Building on that momentum, Zadar tightened their defense and executed efficiently on offense, extending their lead with another crucial long-range shot. In contrast, SC Derby struggled to respond during the final minutes, failing to produce consistent scoring when it mattered most.

A combination of defensive stops and composed offensive possessions allowed Zadar to close the game on a strong run, limiting the visitors to just four points in the final quarter and sealing the victory.

Man of the Match: Vladimir Mihailović delivered a standout performance to lead Zadar to victory. He finished the game with 22 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists, proving instrumental on both ends of the floor.

His impact was particularly evident in crucial moments, as he provided key perimeter shooting and leadership during the decisive fourth-quarter comeback.

Can't Trick the Stats: The statistical comparison between the two teams highlights the underlying factors behind Zadar’s comeback. The home side connected on 13 three-point shots compared to SC Derby’s 7, a difference that became especially significant in the final quarter when long-range accuracy shifted the balance.

Zadar also controlled the boards with 36 rebounds to SC Derby’s 26, allowing them to generate additional possessions and limit second-chance opportunities for their opponents. In terms of ball movement, Zadar recorded 17 assists, nearly doubling SC Derby’s total of 9, reflecting a more cohesive offensive approach.

These advantages collectively outweighed SC Derby’s long periods of control and ultimately played a decisive role in determining the final result.