Dragons’ phenomenal win over Budućnost VOLI

Cedevita Olimpija faced Budućnost VOLI for the second time this week. The Dragons confirmed Tuesday’s European victory with another win in the ABA League. The Podgorica team was defeated with a score of 95:84.

For the second time in less than 48 hours, the basketball players from Ljubljana competed with the Budućnost VOLI. With an excellent shooting performance, the Dragons made sure that the victory stayed in Stožice. They achieved the victory with a score of 95:84. Cedevita Olimpija improved their record in the ABA League to ten wins and three defeats.

Both teams opened the match with a few scattered players but regained focus and showed that they belong on the top of the ABA League. The Dragons headed to the half-time break after series of baskets in the second half of the second quarter. The main player of the green-orange team in the first half was the captain, Jaka Blažič, who scored 15 points in 17 minutes on the floor.

Jurica Golemec’s squad transferred a good performance from the end of the first half to the remaining of the game. In the third quarter, they scored 33 points with a highly effective display, full of teamwork, and secured a calm finish, which they then concluded with a 95:84 victory.

Jaka Blažič proved himself again with an exceptional shooting performance, scoring 28 points. Jarrod Jones finished the game with 20 points and five rebounds. Kendrick Perry scored 17 points on five assists and Mikael Hopkins finished the game with nine points and nine rebounds.

The Dragons will end the week with a visit to Split, where they will face the home team in the 16th round of the ABA League on Sunday at 15:00. Jurica Golemec’s team will return to the Arena Stožice on Wednesday when JL Bourg en Bresse arrives in the Dragon’s Nest to clash in the third round of the Top 16 stage in the 7DAYS EuroCup

STATEMENTS AFTER THE GAME

Jurica Golemac, Head Coach of KK Cedevita Olimpija:
“Congratulations to the boys for a great match and terrific energy. We worked hard in defense, played great defensive basketball and helped each other. We got it going on the offense where we have the talent to hit the shots from the distance. And this time we were making our shots. Congratulations again to the guys, but we are not even halfway through the season and we have to keep working hard. Beating Budućnost VOLI twice is no small thing. It is a team that aims for the highest places in all competitions. I repeat, we need to remain humble, keep working and not think we are anything special. Our rivals faced us after tough matches and illness in the team. We need to focus on ourselves and respect others.”

Jaka Blažič, Captain of KK Cedevita Olimpija:
“I would like to commend our reaction after Tuesday’s challenging match. We didn’t have much time to prepare and rest for this showdown. From the first to the last minute, we played in the fighting spirit, just as we had agreed. For us, this is a well-deserved and important victory. We work every day and I hope we keep our current form. There are quite a few important matches ahead of us in the next two weeks, but we are on the right track. Budućnost VOLI is considered one of the best teams in the ABA League. With the victory, we got confirmation that we can compete with everyone and mix things up at the top as well.”

ABA LEAGUE, ROUND 9

Arena Stožice (Ljubljana, Slovenia), Thursday, January 21, at 19.00:
CEDEVITA OLIMPIJA – BUDUĆNOST VOLI 95:84 (16:19, 26:17, 33:20, 18:28)
Cedevita Olimpija: Radović, Perry 17 (5 assists), Hopkins 9 (9 rebounds), Murić 8 (6 rebounds), Blažič 28, Hodžić 6, Jones 20 (5 rebounds), Dimec 4, Brown, Ščuka, Duščak 3.

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GALLERY

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