Premijer Liga Round 9 (Regular Season): Zadar Plus lose to Ragusa in the game between Top 4 teams

Here is the last round review presented by LBM Management.

The game between Top Four teams took place in Dubrovnik. Second ranked host Ragusa (8-1) smashed 4th placed Zadar Plus (6-3) 105-67. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Zadar Plus. Ragusa looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. The former international forward Iva Todoric (174-1993) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 24 points, 7 rebounds and 12 assists for the winners and Bosnian center Andjela Sipka (186-2002) chipped in 24 points and 7 rebounds. Ragusa's coach Simona Soda felt very confident using 10 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The best for the losing side was center Katarina Trehub (192-1997) with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 11 rebounds. Ragusa have a solid series of three victories in a row. Defending champion maintains second place with 8-1 record behind leader Tresnjevka. Zadar Plus at the other side dropped to the third position with three games lost. They share it with Sibenik. Ragusa are looking forward to face Zadar (#8) at home in the next round which should be theoretically another easy game. Zadar Plus will play against Brod na Savi (#11) and are hoping to prove to their supporters that the loss was just an accident.
The game between Top Four teams took place in Sibenik. 3rd placed host Sibenik (6-3) lost to leader Tresnjevka (9-0) 64-54. It ended at the same time the six-game winning streak of Sibenik. American guard Kiara Smith (178-1998, college: Florida) nailed 19 points for the winning side and Franka Cuklin accounted for 13 points and 10 rebounds. American guard Ariel Johnson (175-2000, college: LMU) came up with a double-double by scoring 12 points, 16 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals for Sibenik in the defeat. Undefeated Tresnjevka have an impressive series of nine victories in a row. They maintain first place with 9-0 record. Sibenik at the other side keeps the third position with three games lost. They share it with Zadar Plus. Tresnjevka's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Zagreb Zagreb.
Pozega (#5) was upset in Zadar by eighth ranked Zadar 67-59. The best player for the winners was Emilija Podrug who had a double-double by scoring 24 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists (went 8 for 8 at the free throw line). At the other side the best for losing team was Lea Miletic who recorded a double-double by scoring 19 points, 15 rebounds, 6 assists and 6 steals. Zadar (4-5) moved-up to seventh place, which they share with Rijeka. Pozega lost their third game in a row. They keep the fifth position with four games lost. They share it with Zagreb. Zadar will meet league's second-placed Ragusa in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Pozega will play against Rijeka and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

There were no shocking results in the rest of the games of round 9: Pula-Orca was destroyed by Rijeka on the opponent's court 101-82. KAZL Split managed to outperform Brod na Savi in a home game 75-70. Medvescak recorded a loss to Zagreb on the road 72-57.

The Round Review is presented by LBM Management. A full-service agency focused on Women's basketball sphere and working worldwide. A global and ethical quality service.

Rijeka - Pula-Orca 101-82

Rather expected game when 10th ranked Pula-Orca (2-7) was crushed on the road by seventh ranked Rijeka (4-5) 101-82 on Saturday. Rijeka forced 19 Pula-Orca turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists comparing to just 12 passes made by Pula-Orca's players. The best player for the winners was the former international forward Mia Masic (180-1993) who scored 17 points, 5 rebounds and 9 assists. Forward Ivona Krakic (188-1999, college: Georgian Court) chipped in 18 points and 8 rebounds. Rijeka's coach Teddy Delac used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. At the other side the best for losing team was the former international guard Lana Packovski (172-1994) who recorded 33 points (!!!) and 5 assists and center Karolina Skare (183-2005, agency: Highlight Athletes) added 22 points and 9 rebounds respectively. Five Rijeka and four Pula-Orca players scored in double figures. Rijeka maintains seventh place with 4-5 record, which they share with Zadar. Pula-Orca lost their sixth game in a row. They keep the tenth position with seven games lost. Rijeka will meet higher ranked Pozega (#5) on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Pula-Orca will play against Sibenik (#3) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Rijeka: N.Brajac 18+2reb+2ast, I.Krakic 18+8reb+1ast, M.Masic 17+5reb+9ast, D.Brandic 12+3reb+4ast, L.Strilic 10+5reb+8ast, J.Tuftan 9+2reb
Pula-Orca: L.Packovski 33+4reb+5ast, K.Skare 22+9reb+1ast, M.Vrdoljak 13+8reb, J.Kapisoda 10+3reb+1ast, A.Babic 2+2ast, M.Saric 2

KAZL Split - Brod na Savi 75-70

Rather predictable result when ninth ranked KAZL Split (3-6) defeated at home 11th ranked Brod na Savi (1-8) 75-70 on Saturday. Strangely Brod na Savi outrebounded KAZL Split 44-30 including 17 on the offensive glass. The best player for the winners was swingman Iva Bosnjak (182-2001) who had a double-double by scoring 29 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals. American forward Myah Taylor (178-1997, college: Bethel, TN) chipped in 27 points and 4 assists. Taylor is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. At the other side the best for losing team was American guard Aliyah-Deen Ahmad (170-1998, college: FMU) who recorded a double-double by scoring 29 points and 10 rebounds and the other American import forward Demi Burdick (188-1998, college: Delaware) added 18 points and 13 rebounds respectively. KAZL Split maintains ninth place with 3-6 record. Brod na Savi lost their third game in a row. They keep the eleventh position with eight games lost. They share it with Medvescak. KAZL Split will meet bottom-ranked Medvescak (#12) in the next round. Brod na Savi will play against Zadar Plus and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
KAZL Split: I.Bosnjak 29+10reb+5ast, M.Taylor 27+3reb+4ast, N.Bilic 8+9reb+2ast, A.Ilic 5+2reb+2ast, K.Sokanovic 3+2reb, A.Pavic 3+1reb
Brod na Savi: A.Ahmad 29+10reb+1ast, D.Burdick 18+13reb, M.Sirovina 14+5reb+1ast, M.Lovric 4+6reb, E.Poljac 3+9reb+8ast, A.Stankovic 2+1reb+2ast

Zagreb - Medvescak 72-57

Not a big story in a game when 11th ranked Medvescak (1-8) was defeated on the road by sixth ranked Zagreb (5-4) 72-57 on Sunday. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Zagreb made 7 blocks. The best player for the winners was American center Antoinette Lewis (185-1999, college: USA) who had a double-double by scoring 18 points, 14 rebounds and 4 blocks. Her fellow American import guard Meghan Boyd (155, college: Colorado St.) chipped in 22 points and 6 rebounds. Zagreb's coach Danica Talajic used a ten-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. At the other side the best for losing team was forward Jelena Brkicic (180-2006) who recorded a double-double by scoring 18 points, 18 rebounds and 5 blocks and guard Gabriela Grizelj (172-2001) added 8 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists (went 8 for 8 at the free throw line) respectively. The victory was the third consecutive win for Zagreb. They moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Pozega. Medvescak lost their third game in a row. They dropped to the bottom position with eight games lost. They share it with Brod na Savi. Zagreb's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Zagreb to the arena Tresnjevka.
Top scorers:
Zagreb: M.Boyd 22+6reb+3ast, A.Lewis 18+14reb+1ast, L.Vukic 11+5reb+1ast, K.Kulesha 9+4reb, H.Arnautovic 4+7reb+10ast, M.Savic 4+3reb
Medvescak: J.Brkicic 18+18reb+1ast, L.Zelic 13+2reb+1ast, G.Grizelj 8+6reb+7ast, M.Perkovic 6+1reb+1ast, M.Soldo 6+5reb+4ast, I.Mamic 3+3reb+6ast

Ragusa - Zadar Plus 105-67

The game between Top Four teams took place in Dubrovnik. Second ranked host Ragusa (8-1) smashed 4th placed Zadar Plus (6-3) 105-67. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Zadar Plus. Ragusa looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. The former international forward Iva Todoric (174-1993) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 24 points, 7 rebounds and 12 assists for the winners and Bosnian center Andjela Sipka (186-2002) chipped in 24 points and 7 rebounds. Four Ragusa players scored in double figures. Ragusa's coach Simona Soda felt very confident using 10 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The best for the losing side was center Katarina Trehub (192-1997) with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 11 rebounds and American guard Asiah Dingle (165-2000, college: Fordham, agency: BIG) scored 16 points and 4 assists. Ragusa have a solid series of three victories in a row. Defending champion maintains second place with 8-1 record behind leader Tresnjevka. Zadar Plus at the other side dropped to the third position with three games lost. They share it with Sibenik. Ragusa are looking forward to face Zadar (#8) at home in the next round which should be theoretically another easy game. Zadar Plus will play against Brod na Savi (#11) and are hoping to prove to their supporters that the loss was just an accident.
Top scorers:
Ragusa: A.Sipka 24+7reb+2ast, I.Todoric 24+7reb+12ast, N.Vuckovic 15+5reb+5ast, E.Majstorovic 12+2reb, L.Hajdin 8+4reb, C.Miloglav 8+4reb+3ast
Zadar Plus: K.Trehub 18+11reb+2ast, A.Dingle 16+3reb+4ast, S.Boric 13+1reb+2ast, T.Diggs 7+5reb+1ast, N.Spaic 3+1reb+2ast, S.Herceg 3+3reb+4ast

Sibenik - Tresnjevka 54-64

The game between Top Four teams took place in Sibenik. 3rd placed host Sibenik (6-3) lost to leader Tresnjevka (9-0) 64-54. It ended at the same time the six-game winning streak of Sibenik. American guard Kiara Smith (178-1998, college: Florida) nailed 19 points for the winning side and center Franka Cuklin (183-2005) accounted for 13 points and 10 rebounds. American guard Ariel Johnson (175-2000, college: LMU) came up with a double-double by scoring 12 points, 16 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals and the other American import forward Tamia Lawhorne (186-2001, college: Marshall) added 17 points and 5 rebounds respectively for Sibenik in the defeat. Tresnjevka have an impressive series of nine victories in a row. They maintain first place with 9-0 record. Sibenik at the other side keeps the third position with three games lost. They share it with Zadar Plus. Tresnjevka's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Zagreb Zagreb.
Top scorers:
Tresnjevka: K.Smith 19+4reb+3ast, L.Bilic 16+5reb+1ast, F.Cuklin 13+10reb+1ast, N.Rodek 7+10reb+3ast, N.Novak 7+7reb+4ast, D.Zaja 2+7reb+2ast
Sibenik: T.Lawhorne 17+5reb, A.Strize 14+5reb+3ast, A.Johnson 12+16reb+4ast, D.Cipcic 5+9reb, D.Saric 4+2reb, N.Dzafic 2

Zadar - Pozega 67-59

Pozega (#5) was upset in Zadar by eighth ranked Zadar 67-59. The best player for the winners was the former international center Emilija Podrug (190-1979) who had a double-double by scoring 24 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists (went 8 for 8 at the free throw line). Guard Tea Turic (178-1998) chipped in 21 points. At the other side the best for losing team was the former international forward Lea Miletic (184-1995) who recorded a double-double by scoring 19 points, 15 rebounds, 6 assists and 6 steals and the former international forward Jelena Ivezic (183-1984) added 23 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists respectively. Zadar (4-5) moved-up to seventh place, which they share with Rijeka. Pozega lost their third game in a row. They keep the fifth position with four games lost. They share it with Zagreb. Zadar will meet league's second-placed Ragusa in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Pozega will play against Rijeka and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Zadar: E.Podrug 24+14reb+4ast, T.Turic 21+4reb+2ast, L.Stipic 8+6reb+1ast, K.Milkovic 6+2reb+1ast, J.Zovko 4+4reb+2ast, M.Dobric 2+7reb+2ast
Pozega: J.Ivezic 23+7reb+4ast, L.Miletic 19+15reb+6ast, J.Zoric 11+4reb+1ast, L.Basic 3+2reb+1ast, G.Kondic 3+3reb+2ast, A.Vlaisavljevic 0