Win against Helios Suns brings us closer to the final
Cedevita Olimpija was more successful than the Helios Suns in the first match of the semi-finals of the Nova KBM League with 89:58. With Monday’s victory over Domžale team, the Dragons would qualify for the finals of the national championship. With the victory over Rivals from Domžale, the Cedevita Olimpija team made a big step … Continued
Cedevita Olimpija was more successful than the Helios Suns in the first match of the semi-finals of the Nova KBM League with 89:58. With Monday’s victory over Domžale team, the Dragons would qualify for the finals of the national championship.
With the victory over Rivals from Domžale, the Cedevita Olimpija team made a big step towards qualifying for the finals of the Nova KBM League. After an equal performance in the first half, Jurica Golemec’s team then consolidated their ranks and recorded their eighth consecutive victory.
The victory of the hosts in the Arena Stožice was never in question, although the guests proved to be demanding competitors in the beginning of the match. The teams took turns in the lead several times in the first half. The team from Ljubljana scored its points from fast breaks and second chances, while the team from Domžale scored from the distance. In the second part of the match, Jurica Golemec’s protégés stepped on the gas. With a stronger defense and a more effective offense, they increased their advantage until the end of the match, when it was 31 points (89:58).
With 19 points and five rebounds, Jarrod Jones was the statistically most successful basketball player in the Ljubljana team. Kendrick Perry scored 14 and had seven more assists. Among the basketball players with a double-digit number of points were also Jaka Blažič, who scored 13 with eight rebounds, and Alen Hodžić, who finished the game with 11 points. Edo Murić registered eight points, collecting six rebounds.
The Dragons faced Domžale without Dan Duščak, who led the Ljubljana youth team to victory in the first match of the final tournament of the national championship on Wednesday, and on Saturday he will have a semi-final match against Domžale’s youth in Kranj.
The team from the Dragon’s nest will chase a ticket for the finals of the national championship after the weekend. The second semifinal match will start in Domžale on Monday at 18.00.
STATEMENTS AFTER THE GAME:
Jurica Golemac, Head Coach of KK Cedevita Olimpija:
»Congratulations to the guys for the win. In the playoffs every team is confident and has nothing to lose. Opponents have talented guys and know how to play. It is only possible to win with the energy what we did in the second half. We quickly gained a lead and deservedly won. We won one of the two. Tomorrow is time to analyze and move on.«
Jarrod Jones, player of KK Cedevita Olimpija:
»The game was tied in the first half. We know it is important to win home guys so we can go on the road in the lead. In the second hald we were focused and disciplined which payed off.«
NOVA KBM LEAGUE, SEMIFINALS
GAME 1
Arena Stožice (Ljubljana, Slovenia), Tuesday, May 14:
CEDEVITA OLIMPIJA – TERME OLIMIA PODČETRTEK 89:58 (20:18, 18:18, 24:11, 27:11) [1:0]*
Cedevita Olimpija: Radović, Perry 14 (7 assists), Murić 8 (6 rebounds), Blažič 13 (8 rebounds), Brown 7 (6 rebounds), Hodžić 11, Jones 19 (5 rebounds), Ščuka, Dimec 6, Marinković 2, Rupnik 2 (5 assists).
GAME 2
ŠD Domžale (Domžale, Slovenia), Monday, May 17, ob 18.00:
HELIOS SUNS – CEDEVITA OLIMPIJA (Live on Sportklub)
*Semifinals are played on two wins.
