Zadar Gets The Dalmatian Derby Win On the Road Against Split

AdmiralBet ABA League Play-out Round 6, Friday, 27 March 2026:

Split - ZADAR 59:79 (18:17, 11:22, 16:22, 14:18)

PHOTO GALLERY
POST-GAME COMMENTS

Game Recap: Zadar recorded a convincing 79:59 road win over Split in Round 6 of the AdmiralBet ABA League play-out phase, delivering a composed and controlled performance throughout the contest.

The opening period was closely contested, with both teams finding early rhythm and Split narrowly taking the lead at the end of the first quarter. Zadar responded in the second period by raising their defensive intensity and improving execution on offense, allowing them to overturn the deficit and head into halftime with a solid advantage.

In the second half, Zadar continued to dictate the pace of the game. Their offensive flow improved significantly, while their defense limited Split’s scoring options. By the final quarter, the visitors had built a comfortable cushion and calmly saw out the remainder of the game to secure an important victory.

Key Moments: The decisive shift came in the second quarter. After trailing by seven points early in the period, Zadar produced a 10:0 run fueled by second-chance points and accurate outside shooting. That sequence turned the momentum and gave them control heading into halftime.

The game was effectively decided in the third quarter, when Vladimir Mihailović caught fire. He scored 10 consecutive points for his team, combining long-range shooting with aggressive drives to the basket. This stretch pushed Zadar’s lead to a commanding margin and created separation that Split could not recover from.

Early in the fourth quarter, Zadar extended their advantage to 20 points, removing any remaining uncertainty. From that point on, they managed the game efficiently and closed it out without difficulty.

Man of the Match: Vladimir Mihailović was the standout performer of the game, finishing with a game-high 24 points, along with 5 rebounds and 5 assists.

After a quieter first half, he took full control in the third quarter, delivering a decisive scoring run that broke the game open. His ability to contribute across multiple areas, both as a scorer and playmaker, made him the key figure in Zadar’s victory.

Can’t Trick the Stats: Three-point shooting proved to be the defining statistical factor in the game.

Zadar converted 12 shots from beyond the arc at an outstanding 52% efficiency, consistently punishing defensive lapses and stretching the floor. On the other side, Split struggled heavily from long range, making just 3 three-pointers at 12%.

This significant gap in perimeter shooting efficiency played a major role in shaping the outcome, as Zadar’s accuracy created scoring momentum while limiting Split’s ability to respond.