Well-deserved win over the league newcomers

Cedevita Olimpija beat Borac Čačak in the seventh round of the ABA League with a score of 97:88. Dragons remain undefeated on the home court since January

After three consecutive clashes in the 7DAYS EuroCup competition, Cedevita Olimpija players once again put on the jerseys with the ABA League logo and celebrated the 97:88 victory against Borac from Čačak. For Jurica Golemec’s squad, this was the fourth victory in five game in the regional championship in the 2020/21 season, while the Dragons have remained undefeated on the floor of the Arena Stožice since January 26 and the clash with Koper Primorska. The next test awaits Ljubljana team on Wednesday, November 18, when they will face the Herbalife Gran Canaria team in Las Palmas.

Dragons started the game in the same pace that got them two wins on the raod in Turkey. After the initial lead of the home team, the Slovenian and Serbian teams alternated several times in the lead, and ended the first quarter tied with a score of 25:25. As the minutes went by in the second quarter Cedevita Olimpija did not slow down. Captain Jaka Blažič was leading the team on the offense with 13 points in 13 mintues, as well as five rebounds and three assists. In the second quarter, the Ljubljana team impressed with its unselfishnes and above all quickness. With points from fast breaks, the Dragons scored ten in the first half, Jurica Golemac’s team managed to break through defensive pressing of Borac.

Cedevita Olimpija’s well-oiled machine continued to work at high speeds in the second half. The squad from Slovenia’s capital won the third quarter with the result 24:18, after a Dan Duščak’s made shot from the own half at the sound of the buzzer. In the absence of Rok Leni Ukić, who is suffering from back pain, the young point guard was given more playing time. Rok Radović and Luka Ščuka also got the opportunity to prove themselves in the last quarter. After Alen Hodžić was laid out on the floor less than four minutes before the end of the match, the referees called technical fouls on the head coach of Cedevita Olimpija, Jurica Golemec, and the Borac Čačak team felt the possibility of a turnaround. But the team in the green-orange jerseys, under the tutelage of assistant coach Teo Čizmić, managed to bring the showdown to a calm finish, regardless of the circumstances.

Among the scorers, Jaka Blažič again proved that he can be a scoring machine for Dragons with 23 points, adding eight rebounds and four assists. Kendrick Perry scored 14 points and dished out six assists, followed by Jarrod Jones with 12 points, who collected 7 rebounds. Mikael Hopkins and Alen Hodžić recorded nine points, the latter recording 100% shooting percentage from the three-point land. Ivan Marinković also finished with nine points, scoring seven in the first half.

STATEMENTS AFTER THE GAME

Teo Čizmić, Assistant Coach of Cedevite Olimpije: 
“It was important to continue the winning streak, win the home game and thus keep close to the top positions in the standings. We were focused and for the good part of the game played well in defense. Congratulations to everyone, now we have to prepare for further games and the trip to Spain.”

Jaka Blažič, Captain of Cedevite Olimpije: 
“Right before the end of the game we experienced a shock. We had everything under control, and then a deliberate mistake by basketball player of Borac followed. In basketball, things change quickly and so we did not win with an expected point difference. In the end, we achieved our goal and played most of the match the way we should.”

LIGA ABA ROUND 7

Arena Stožice (Ljubljana), Sunday, November 15:
CEDEVITA OLIMPIJA – BORAC ČAČAK 97:88 (25:25, 24:14, 24:18, 24:31)
Cedevita Olimpija: Radović 1, Perry 14 (6 assists), Hopkins 9, Duščak 3, Murić 9, Blažič 23 (8 rebounds), Brown 8 (8 rebounds), Hodžić 9, Jones 12 (7 rebounds), Ščuka, Marinković 9.

STATS
GALLERY

LESTVICA