ABA League Round 2 (Regular Season): Derby loses to Zadar

There were only 2 rounds played so far and it's still very beginning of the Regular Season in ABA League. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most important game of round 2 took place in Zadar where Croatian Zadar beat Montenegrin Derby 79-65 on Monday night. Zadar forced 20 Derby turnovers. Center Ivan Vranes (207-1996) had a double-double by scoring 14 points and 12 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and Montenegrin point guard Vladimir Mihailovic (193-1990) chipped in 15 points and 4 assists during the contest. American forward Jyare Davis (201-2002, college: Syracuse) responded with 14 points and 5 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Derby will play next round against strong Bosna trying to make it back to the top of the standings. Zadar will try to continue on its current victory against Mega BG in Belgrade.
The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Slovenian Krka in Novo Mesto. Hosts were defeated by Montenegrin Buducnost 77-72. American Juwan Morgan (203-1997, college: Indiana) notched a double-double by scoring 11 points and 13 rebounds to lead the effort and Yogi Ferrell supported him with 17 points and 5 assists. Even a double-double of 15 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists by American forward Naje Smith (203-2000, college: Boise St.) did not help to save the game for Krka. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Buducnost will play against Crvena zvezda in Belgrade in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Krka will play at home against FMP BG and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Quite upsetting was Serbian Borac's home defeat in a game versus Bosnian Siroki 87-81. The best player for the winners was Tayler Persons who scored 18 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Kahliel Spear produced 21 points and 8 rebounds for the hosts. Siroki will meet at home Cedevita Ol. in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Borac will play against Igokea in Aleksandrovac and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

There were no shocking results in the other games in round 2: winless Cibona lost to Cedevita Ol. on the opponent's court 76-89. Igokea managed to outperform Slovan in a home game 97-89. Crvena zvezda lost to FMP BG on the road 89-90. Partizan crushed Mega BG on its own court 83-59. Cluj Napoca beat Vienna in a road game 95-84. Spartak lost to Bosnian defending champion Bosna at home 79-95. Dubai managed to outperform Ilirija on the opponent's court 85-70.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 11 points by Tornike Shengelia of Dubai.

Group Group A

Krka - Buducnost 72-77:
The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Slovenian Krka in Novo Mesto. Hosts were defeated by Montenegrin Buducnost 77-72. Buducnost made 17-of-22 charity shots (77.3 percent) during the game. Krka was plagued by 25 personal fouls down the stretch. American Juwan Morgan (203-1997, college: Indiana) notched a double-double by scoring 11 points and 13 rebounds to lead the effort and American-Montenegrin point guard Yogi Ferrell (183-1993, college: Indiana) supported him with 17 points and 5 assists. Four Buducnost players scored in double figures. Even a double-double of 15 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists by American forward Naje Smith (203-2000, college: Boise St.) did not help to save the game for Krka. His fellow American import point guard Diante Baldwin (182-1994, college: UNCG, agency: Slash Sports) added 7 points, 7 rebounds and 14 assists for the hosts. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Buducnost will play against Crvena zvezda in Belgrade in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Krka will play at home against FMP BG and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Krka: J.Rebec 16+1reb+1ast, B.Mahkovic 15+4reb, N.Smith 15+10reb+4ast, D.Baldwin 7+7reb+14ast, J.Klobucar 6+3reb, G.Smith 5+3reb
Buducnost: F.Yogi 17+5ast, B.Jerry 12+4reb, M.Juwan 11+13reb+2ast, M.Iverson 10+3reb+2ast, B.Axel 8+7reb, J.Djordje 7+1ast

Borac CA - Siroki 81-87:
Quite upsetting was Serbian Borac's home defeat in a game versus Bosnian Siroki 87-81. Siroki made 23-of-25 free shots (92.0 percent) during the game. Siroki had a 26-13 advantage in offensive rebounds. The best player for the winners was American guard Tayler Persons (191-1995, college: Ball St., agency: Players Group) who scored 18 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. The other American import swingman Chavaughn Lewis (194-1993, college: Marist) chipped in 19 points. American Kahliel Spear (200-2000, college: RMU) produced 21 points and 8 rebounds and point guard Jovan Novak (191-1994) added 16 points and 8 rebounds respectively for the hosts. Four Borac players scored in double figures. Siroki will meet at home Cedevita Ol. in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Borac will play against Igokea in Aleksandrovac and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Borac CA: K.Spear 21+8reb+3ast, J.Novak 16+8reb+2ast, U.Carapic 12+1reb, M.Josilo 11+4reb, A.Roy 8+1reb+1ast, C.Djordje 8+2ast
Siroki: L.Chavaughn 19+2reb+3ast, P.Tayler 18+6reb+4ast, B.Josip 13+3reb, Z.Jure 9+8reb, O.Joshua 8+1reb, M.Bosnjak 8+6reb+1ast

Cedevita Ol. - Cibona 89-76:
Cedevita Ol. used a home court advantage and beat the opponent from Zagreb 89-76 on Saturday night. The best player for the winners was American Matt Hurt (206-2000, college: Duke) who scored 21 points. The other American import point guard Anthony Cowan Jr (183-1997, college: Maryland, agency: Octagon Europe) chipped in 18 points. Four Cedevita Ol. players scored in double figures. Lovro Mazalin (204-1997) produced 14 points and 7 rebounds and American guard Rickey McGill (188-1997, college: Iona) added 14 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists respectively for the guests. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Cedevita Ol. will meet Siroki in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Cibona will play against Slovan and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Cibona: L.Mazalin 14+7reb+3ast, R.McGill 14+5reb+5ast, K.Battle 14+2reb+1ast, T.Mitchell 8+6reb, K.Hepa 8+4reb, R.Badzim 7+1reb+1ast
Cedevita Ol.: H.Matt 21+4reb, C.Anthony 18+3reb+3ast, K.Urban 14+1reb, K.Noah 12+5reb+4ast, S.David 5+4reb, B.Jaka 5+1reb+1ast

Igokea - Slovan 97-89:
Igokea used a home court advantage and defeated the opponent from Bratislava 97-89 on Saturday night. Igokea shot 66.7 percent from the field. Igokea outrebounded Slovan 34-20 including a 23-10 advantage in defensive rebounds. It was a great shooting night for Igokea especially from behind the arc, where they had solid 53.3 percentage. The best player for the winners was American point guard Roman Penn (182-1997, college: Drake) who scored 18 points and 9 assists. Center Djordje Topolovic (208-2001) chipped in 16 points and 7 rebounds (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field). Four Igokea players scored in double figures. Montenegrin center Zoran Nikolic (212-1996) produced 24 points and 8 rebounds and American guard Desure Buie (182-1997, college: Hofstra) added 17 points and 5 assists respectively for the guests. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Igokea will meet at home Borac in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Slovan will play against Cibona in Zagreb and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Slovan: Z.Nikolic 24+8reb+1ast, T.Buchanan 18+1reb+2ast, D.Buie 17+5ast, M.Dreznjak 9+2reb+1ast, B.Skeens 7+3reb, T.Bluiett 6+1reb+1ast
Igokea: P.Roman 18+3reb+9ast, D.Topolovic 16+7reb, P.Nate 15+2reb+2ast, K.Petar 14+3reb, M.Nikola 9+7reb+3ast, L.Aleksandar 7+3reb+1ast

FMP BG - Crvena zvezda 90-89:
FMP BG used a home court advantage and edged the opponent from Belgrade 90-89 on Sunday night. The best player for the winners was American swingman Jamiya Neal (196-2003, college: Creighton) who scored 27 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists. The other American import guard Brandon Rush (193-2001, college: YSU, agency: Olsta) chipped in 26 points. Armenian-American point guard Chris Jones (188-1993, college: Angelo St.) produced 19 points and 7 assists and American guard Jared Butler (191-1999, college: Baylor) added 13 points respectively for the guests. Crvena zvezda's coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total twelve players in this game, but that didn't help. FMP BG will meet Krka in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Crvena zvezda will play against Buducnost and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Crvena zvezda: C.Jones 19+2reb+7ast, J.Butler 13+3reb+3ast, J.Nwora 11+2reb+1ast, E.Izundu 9+3reb, D.Kramer 7+6reb+1ast, C.Moneke 7+8reb
FMP BG: N.Jamiya 27+8reb+6ast, R.Brandon 26+3reb+3ast, G.Nikola 13+13reb+3ast, R.Nikola 7+1reb+1ast, S.Aleksa 6+3reb, R.Filip 5+7reb+2ast

Group Group B

Partizan - Mega BG 83-59:
Partizan used a home court advantage and outscored the opponent from Belgrade 83-59 on Monday night. Partizan looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists comparing to just 5 passes made by Mega BG's players. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Partizan made 7 blocks. The best player for the winners was Puerto Rican-American guard Ethan Thompson (193-1999, college: Oregon St.) who scored 21 points and 7 rebounds. Forward Nikola Tanaskovic (205-1997) chipped in 14 points and 6 rebounds. Swingman Aleksandar Vojinovic (197-2006) produced 12 points and 7 rebounds and guard Andrej Lucic (188-2007) added 14 points respectively for the guests. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Partizan will meet at home Vienna in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Mega BG will play against Zadar and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Mega BG: A.Lucic 14+2reb+1ast, A.Vojinovic 12+7reb, P.Backo 7+3reb+1ast, L.Paunov 7+6reb, L.Maniema 6+1reb+1ast, O.Srzentic 5+3reb
Partizan: T.Ethan 21+7reb+1ast, T.Nikola 14+6reb+2ast, L.Joffrey 10+5reb+3ast, N.Mario 8+2reb+1ast, S.Bandja 8+2reb, A.Kyle 7+4reb+3ast

Vienna - Cluj Napoca 84-95:
But BC Vienna was not able to use a home court advantage and was defeated by the opponent from Cluj Napoca 95-84 on Saturday night. Cluj Napoca looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. The best player for the winners was American JaVonte Smart (193-1999, college: LSU, agency: Diamond Sports) who scored 17 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists. Serbian center Uros Plavsic (213-1998, college: Tennessee) chipped in 15 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Five Cluj Napoca players scored in double figures. Serbian Aleksandar Langovic (204-2001) produced 23 points and Serbian forward Aleksa Novakovic (200-1996, college: EIU) added 16 points respectively for the hosts. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Cluj Napoca will meet at home Dubai in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. BC Vienna will play against Partizan in Belgrade and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Vienna: A.Langovic 23+3reb+2ast, G.Sherfield 17+2reb+3ast, A.Novakovic 16+4reb+3ast, K.Radovcic 10+1reb+3ast, J.Muila 8+8reb, N.Jovanovic 4+1ast
Cluj Napoca: S.Ja'Vonte 17+7reb+8ast, P.Uros 15+6reb+5ast, K.Kristian 14+4reb+2ast, B.Javon 14+3reb+1ast, M.Jalyn 13+5reb+3ast, L.Otis 6+1reb+3ast

Zadar - Derby 79-65:
The most important game of round 2 took place in Zadar where Croatian Zadar beat Montenegrin Derby 79-65 on Monday night. Zadar forced 20 Derby turnovers. Center Ivan Vranes (207-1996) had a double-double by scoring 14 points and 12 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and Montenegrin point guard Vladimir Mihailovic (193-1990) chipped in 15 points and 4 assists during the contest. Four Zadar players scored in double figures. American forward Jyare Davis (201-2002, college: Syracuse) responded with 14 points and 5 rebounds and Serbian center Marko Pavicevic (209-2001, agency: Octagon Europe) scored 15 points. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Derby will play next round against strong Bosna trying to make it back to the top of the standings. Zadar will try to continue on its current victory against Mega BG in Belgrade.
Top scorers:
Derby: M.Pavicevic 15+3reb+1ast, J.Davis 14+5reb+1ast, A.Wesson 9+5reb, A.Jordano 8+1reb+1ast, F.Andjusic 7+6reb, O.Radosic 3+1reb
Zadar: M.Vladimir 15+3reb+4ast, V.Ivan 14+12reb+3ast, W.Ross 14+2reb+3ast, K.Krsevan 10+2reb+1ast, S.Niko 7+3reb+4ast, O.Mark 6+2reb+1ast

Spartak - Bosna 79-95:
But Spartak was not able to use a home court advantage and lost to the opponent from Sarajevo 95-79 on Saturday night. The best player for the winners was guard Darko Talic (186-1998, agency: Olsta) who scored 18 points (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field). American forward Reggie Perry (208-2000, college: MSU) chipped in 14 points and 6 rebounds. Montenegrin power forward Danilo Nikolic (206-1993) produced 14 points and Montenegrin point guard Igor Drobnjak (188-2000) added 13 points respectively for the hosts. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Bosna will meet Derby in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Spartak will play against Ilirija in Ljubljana and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Spartak: J.Pipkins 15+1reb, D.Nikolic 14+4reb+1ast, I.Drobnjak 13+3reb+2ast, A.Gegic 11+3reb+3ast, D.Ilic 9+5reb+1ast, S.Lazarevic 6+2reb+2ast
Bosna: T.Darko 18+3reb+3ast, P.Reggie 14+6reb+1ast, P.PJ 11+1reb+4ast, G.DeAndre 10+3reb+2ast, V.Adin 10+2reb+1ast, P.Nikola 9+1reb+2ast

Ilirija - Dubai 70-85:
But Ilirija was not able to use a home court advantage and was defeated by the opponent from Dubai 85-70 on Sunday night. The best player for the winners was American guard Davion Mintz (191-1998, college: Kentucky, agency: Octagon Europe) who scored 20 points. Bosnian center Kenan Kamenjas (207-2000) chipped in 11 points and 8 rebounds. Four Dubai players scored in double figures. Forward Edo Muric (202-1991) produced 15 points and 5 rebounds and American guard Cameron Shelton (188-1999, college: LMU) added 9 points and 4 assists respectively for the hosts. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Dubai will meet Cluj Napoca on the road in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Ilirija will play against Spartak and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Ilirija: E.Muric 15+5reb, V.Hrabar 11+3reb, S.Todorovic 11+3reb+1ast, C.Shelton 9+4reb+4ast, L.Boisa 9+1ast, C.Hargrove 7+4reb
Dubai: M.Davion 20+3reb, K.Kenan 11+8reb, S.Tornike 11+2reb+3ast, K.Kosta 10+1reb+2ast, O.Elie 8+1reb+2ast, D.Mamadi 6+5reb