Creek and Russell Lead U-BT Cluj-Napoca Toward Win vs. Cedevita Olimpija

2025/26 AdmiralBet ABA League Top 8 Round 1, Wednesday, 25 March 2026:

U-BT CLUJ-NAPOCA – Cedevita Olimpija 98:95 (21:15, 23:24, 27:32, 27:24)

PHOTO GALERY

POST-GAME COMMENTS

Game Recap: In the postponed match of Round 1 of the Top 8 stage, U-BT Cluj-Napoca defeated Cedevita Olimpija at home 98:95 after a spectacular offensive showdown in Cluj-Napoca.

It was a game filled with high-level scoring on both ends, but the home side ultimately found a way to come out on top, led by an outstanding duo - Daron Russell and Mitchell Creek. Russell delivered a masterclass performance with 27 points and 13 assists, while Creek added 28 points and 4 rebounds, providing the firepower that pushed their team over the finish line.

With this result, both teams are now tied in the Top 8 standings, each holding a 12-8 record and occupying the 5th and 6th positions, making the race for the next phase even more exciting.

Key moments: The decisive stretch came in the final minute, when Daron Russell took full control. With U-BT Cluj-Napoca leading 94:91, Russell broke free from his defenders and finished a clutch lay-up to extend the lead to 96:91. Shortly after, he once again created separation and delivered a perfectly timed assist to Dušan Miletić, whose basket sealed the win at 98:92, putting the game out of reach.

Man of the match: Daron Russell - A dominant double-double performance combined with two decisive plays in the clutch makes him the clear standout of the night.

Can’t trick the stats: U-BT Cluj-Napoca controlled the glass, finishing the game with 10 rebounds more than Cedevita Olimpija - a crucial edge in such a tightly contested matchup.