Returning from Bourg with an important win

In the Round 4 of the Top 16 Stage in the 7DAYS EuroCup, the Cedevita Olimpija defeated JL Bourg with the final score of 77:64. With their second victory over the French team, the Ljubljana team solidified its second place in Group G of the 7DAYS EuroCup.

The Ljubljana team is returning from a visit to Bourg with an important victory. The Cedevita Olimpija basketball players, after an equal fight with the home team in the first half, put their feet to the gas in the second half and won the game 77:64 at the last sound of the buzzer. The record of the team from Stožice in the second phase of the 7DAYS EuroCup is three wins and one loss, which puts the Ljubljana team in second place of Group G.

Excellent introductory minutes of the match brought the team of Jurica Golemec an early lead, which amounted to as many as 12 points after half of the first quarter. In the continuation of the first half, the rhythm of the team in green and orange slowed down a bit. The Ljubljana team did not take advantage of the open shots, which they prepared thanks to good teamwork, and the home team took the lead with 41:39 at the end of the second quarter.

The Dragons showed a new face in the second half and allowed the rivals to just 23 points in 20 minutes of play. With a mature game in the offense, where they had only seven turnovers, the Slovenian team led the meeting to a tranquil finish. The highest lead in the game was achieved by the basketball players from Stožice in the last minute of the match, which they then won with the result 77:64.

Jaka Blažič and Rion Brown were the best scorers of their team with 15 points each. They were followed by Kendrick Perry, who added five rebounds to his 14 points. Jarrod Jones collected 11 points and Edo Murić had 10 with six rebounds. Mikael Hopkins posted six points and grabbed five boards.

The Ljubljana team will end the week with another away game. On Saturday, the basketball players from the Dragon’s nest will face Budućnost VOLI in the Round 18 of the ABA League in Podgorica.

STATEMENTS AFTER THE GAME:

Jurica Golemac, Head Coach of Cedevita Olimpija:
“Congratulations to the boys for the hard-fought victory. We played as a team. We have a lot of individual qualities and we have to believe in each other. The victory was won by the defense in the second half. With rebound control, quick transition, and easy baskets, we then gained confidence. Defensively, we played the second half of the match more firmly and focused. Based on the opponents in the group, we have to be satisfied with the record of three wins and a defeat. An important away win counts doubly, but at this point it means nothing. Mathematically, we still haven’t secured advancement. We go forward game by game, first we have matches in the ABA League and the national championship.”

Rion Brown, Player of Cedevita Olimpija:
“I’m feeling good. We definitely needed that win. It was a big one for us to get to the next round, advance to the top eight. We played a good team in JL Bourg, they kept fighting but we showed a lot of heart tonight.”

7DAYS EUROCUP; TOP 16, ROUND 4

Ekinox (Bourg en Bresse, France), Wednesday, February 3:
JL BOURG EN BRESSE – CEDEVITA OLIMPIJA 64:77 (21:28, 20:11, 14:20, 9:18)
Cedevita Olimpija: Radović, Perry 14 (5 rebounds), Hopkins 6 (5 rebounds), Murić 10 (6 rebounds), Blažič 15, Hodžić, Jones 11, Dimec, Brown 15, Marinković, Duščak, Rupnik 6.

STATS
GALLERY

STANDINGS