Crvena zvezda Meridianbet pull off stunning second-half comeback to win the thriller vs. Igokea m:tel

2026/27 AdmiralBet ABA League Regular Season, Group A, Round 5, Saturday, 24 October 2026:

Igokea m:tel – CRVENA ZVEZDA MERIDIANBET 80:81 (36:20, 14:13, 10:24, 20:24)

PHOTO GALLERY

POST-GAME COMMENTS

Game Recap: Crvena zvezda Meridianbet pulled off a remarkable comeback in Laktaši to defeat Igokea m:tel 81:80 in a dramatic AdmiralBet ABA League encounter. After trailing by double digits for much of the game, the Belgrade side found a way to turn things around in the second half and snatch a thrilling one-point victory.

Igokea delivered an outstanding offensive performance in the opening quarter, scoring as many as 36 points to establish a commanding 36:20 lead. The hosts continued to control the game throughout the second period, with Lazar Stefanović and Haris Delalić leading the charge, and entered halftime with a comfortable 50:33 advantage. However, Crvena zvezda refused to surrender, gradually reducing the deficit after the break before completing a spectacular turnaround in the closing stages.

Key Moments: The turning point came in the third quarter, when Crvena zvezda opened the second half with a stunning 14:0 run to reduce the deficit to just three points (50:47). Although Igokea managed to withstand that initial comeback and maintain a narrow 60:57 lead heading into the final period, the momentum had clearly shifted.

The fourth quarter brought an incredible finish. Tyson Carter knocked down a three-pointer to give Zvezda their first lead of the game at 71:70, but Igokea responded and eventually moved ahead 80:77. The visitors then produced one final push. Chima Moneke delivered a crucial block before racing down the court to score the go-ahead basket with six seconds remaining – 81:80. Igokea still had an opportunity to win, but David Kramer came up with a spectacular last-second block on Haris Delalić to secure the victory for the visitors.

Man of the Match: Chima Moneke was the hero of Crvena zvezda's dramatic victory. The energetic forward finished with 10 points and 7 rebounds, but his biggest contributions came when his team needed them most. His crucial defensive stop and subsequent go-ahead basket in the final seconds completed the comeback and earned the red-and-whites a precious road victory.

Can't Trick the Stats: The most remarkable statistic of the evening was the contrast between the two halves. Igokea scored 50 points before halftime but managed just 30 after the break, while Crvena zvezda improved from 33 first-half points to 48 in the second half. The visitors outscored the hosts 24:10 in the third quarter and 24:20 in the fourth, overcoming a deficit that had reached 19 points.