Premijer Liga Round 14 (Regular Season): Ragusa beat KAZL Split by two after a very close game

Here is the last round review presented by LBM Management.

Eighth-ranked KAZL Split (4-10) used its home court advantage to challenge second ranked Ragusa (13-1) on Saturday. The visitors from Dubrovnik managed to secure only two-point victory 63-61. However their fans expected much easier game. Ragusa made 21-of-23 free shots (91.3 percent) during the game. They also forced 22 KAZL Split turnovers. Salome Boyomo orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 13 points and 12 rebounds. The former international forward Iva Todoric (174-1993) contributed with 14 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 5 steals for the winners. Guard Gina Pirjak (165-2006) replied with 22 points and 7 rebounds for KAZL Split. Ragusa have an impressive eight-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains second position with 13-1 record behind leader Tresnjevka. KAZL Split at the other side keeps the eighth place with ten games lost. They share the position with Zadar. Ragusa are looking forward to face Brod na Savi (#10) in Slavonski Brod in the next round and are hoping to win another game. KAZL Split will play on the road against Zadar and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
An interesting game for Tresnjevka (14-0) which played road game in Zadar against 4th ranked Zadar Plus (9-5). Top-ranked Tresnjevka had an easy win 103-66. American guard Kiara Smith (178-1998, college: Florida) scored 21 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists to lead the charge for the winners and Lena Bilic chipped in 24 points and 5 rebounds (perfect from downtown making all six shots !!!) during the contest. The former international Sara Boric (179-2000) responded with 15 points. Undefeated Tresnjevka have an impressive 14-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 14-0 record. Zadar Plus at the other side keep the fourth place with five games lost. Tresnjevka's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Zagreb to the arena Pula-Orca.
The game between 10th ranked Brod na Savi (3-11) and sixth ranked Pozega (8-6) in Slavonski Brod on Sunday ended with biggest points difference. Guests from Pozega outscored Brod na Savi 107-62. Jelena Ivezic notched 20 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists to lead the effort. Even 22 points and 7 rebounds by Taylor Langan did not help to save the game for Brod na Savi. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Pozega moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Zagreb. Loser Brod na Savi keeps the tenth position with 11 games lost. They share it with Medvescak. Pozega will meet at home Medvescak (#11) in the next round where they are favorite. Brod na Savi will play against the league's second-placed Ragusa in Dubrovnik and hope to secure a win.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 14: bottom-ranked Pula-Orca was smashed by Medvescak on the road 98-56. Zagreb won against Zadar on its own court 91-79. Rijeka unfortunately lost to Sibenik in a road game 60-78.

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.

Brod na Savi - Pozega 62-107

The game between 10th ranked Brod na Savi (3-11) and sixth ranked Pozega (8-6) in Slavonski Brod on Sunday ended with biggest points difference. Guests from Pozega outscored Brod na Savi 107-62. Pozega dominated down low during the game scoring 56 of its points in the paint compared to Brod na Savi's 32. Pozega forced 20 Brod na Savi turnovers and outrebounded them 42-25 including 29 on the defensive glass. Pozega shot the lights out from three sinking 12 long-distance shots on high 52.2 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists comparing to just 2 passes made by Brod na Savi's players. The former international forward Jelena Ivezic (183-1984) notched 20 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists to lead the effort and the former international guard Lana Packovski (172-1994) supported her with 15 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists. Five Pozega players scored in double figures. Even 22 points and 7 rebounds by American guard Taylor Langan (178, college: Rider) did not help to save the game for Brod na Savi. Her fellow American import guard Aliyah-Deen Ahmad (170-1998, college: FMU) added 17 points and 8 rebounds for the hosts. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Pozega moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Zagreb. Loser Brod na Savi keeps the tenth position with 11 games lost. They share it with Medvescak. Pozega will meet at home Medvescak (#11) in the next round where they are favorite. Brod na Savi will play against the league's second-placed Ragusa in Dubrovnik and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Pozega: J.Ivezic 20+6reb+7ast, L.Miletic 16+8reb+6ast, I.Ujevic 15+2reb+1ast, L.Packovski 15+8reb+8ast, E.Broermann 13+9reb+1ast, L.Benic 8+1reb
Brod na Savi: T.Langan 22+7reb+1ast, A.Ahmad 17+8reb+1ast, E.Poljac 9+1reb, A.Ilakovac 6+2reb, M.Lovric 4+2reb, D.Burdick 3+3reb

KAZL Split - Ragusa 61-63

Eighth-ranked KAZL Split (4-10) used its home court advantage to challenge second ranked Ragusa (13-1) on Saturday. The visitors from Dubrovnik managed to secure only two-point victory 63-61. However their fans expected much easier game. Ragusa made 21-of-23 free shots (91.3 percent) during the game. They also forced 22 KAZL Split turnovers. Salome Boyomo orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 13 points and 12 rebounds. The former international forward Iva Todoric (174-1993) contributed with 14 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 5 steals for the winners. Four Ragusa players scored in double figures. Guard Gina Pirjak (165-2006) replied with 22 points and 7 rebounds and Serbian-Bosnian center Nikolina Zubac (189-1998) added 19 points and 7 rebounds in the effort for KAZL Split. Ragusa have an impressive eight-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains second position with 13-1 record behind leader Tresnjevka. KAZL Split at the other side keeps the eighth place with ten games lost. They share the position with Zadar. Ragusa are looking forward to face Brod na Savi (#10) in Slavonski Brod in the next round and are hoping to win another game. KAZL Split will play on the road against Zadar and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Ragusa: L.Hajdin 16+6reb+1ast, I.Todoric 14+8reb+4ast, S.Boyomo 13+12reb+2ast, N.Vuckovic 12+4reb+2ast, C.Miloglav 6+10reb+1ast, A.Sipka 2+2reb
KAZL Split: G.Pirjak 22+7reb+1ast, N.Zubac 19+7reb, M.Taylor 13+5reb+2ast, I.Bosnjak 5+8reb+5ast, N.Bilic 2+2reb+1ast, L.Topic 0

Medvescak - Pula-Orca 98-56

Everything could happen in Zagreb at the game between two tied teams. Both eleventh ranked Medvescak and 12th ranked Pula-Orca had identical 2-11 record. This time Medvescak used a home court advantage and crushed the opponent from Zagreb 98-56 on Saturday night. Medvescak forced 20 Pula-Orca turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. Point guard Lana Zelic (170-2007) notched 22 points and 5 rebounds to lead the effort and guard Gabriela Grizelj (172-2001) supported her with 11 points and 6 assists. Five Medvescak players scored in double figures. Medvescak's coach Iva Borovic felt very confident using entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Even a double-double of 26 points and 12 rebounds by Bosnian center Merjema Bucuk (186-2001) did not help to save the game for Pula-Orca. Albanian Shirliz Apiyo added 13 points and 9 rebounds for the guests. Medvescak (3-11) moved-up to tenth place, which they share with Brod na Savi. Pula-Orca lost eleventh consecutive game. They stay at the bottom position with 12 games lost. Medvescak will meet higher ranked Pozega (#5) on the road in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Pula-Orca's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Zagreb Tresnjevka.
Top scorers:
Medvescak: L.Zelic 22+5reb+3ast, M.Perkovic 14+4reb, K.Sekulic 12+2reb+4ast, G.Grizelj 11+4reb+6ast, J.Brkicic 10+3reb+3ast, M.Soldo 9+6reb
Pula-Orca: M.Bucuk 26+12reb+1ast, S.Apiyo 13+9reb+2ast, A.Mise 8+10reb+3ast, A.Babic 7+4reb+6ast, J.Kapisoda 2, E.Paris 0

Zagreb - Zadar 91-79

Rather expected game when 9th ranked Zadar (4-10) lost on the road to sixth ranked Zagreb (8-6) 91-79 on Saturday. Zagreb looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. American guard Meghan Boyd (155, college: Colorado St.) notched 32 points and 5 assists to lead the effort and Ukrainian Khrystyna Kulesha (185-2004) supported her with 27 points and 6 rebounds (on 13-of-16 shooting from the field). Zagreb's coach Danica Talajic used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Even a double-double of 14 points, 17 rebounds and 6 assists by the former international center Emilija Podrug (190-1979) did not help to save the game for Zadar. Guard Lola Stipic (170-2008) added 24 points and 4 steals for the guests. Four Zadar players scored in double figures. Zagreb moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Pozega. Zadar lost fifth consecutive game. Newly promoted team dropped to the eighth position with ten games lost. They share it with KAZL Split. Zagreb will meet Rijeka (#7) on the road in the next round. Zadar will play against KAZL Split and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Zagreb: M.Boyd 32+4reb+5ast, K.Kulesha 27+6reb, H.Arnautovic 15+6reb+6ast, L.Vukic 5+7reb+3ast, K.Skare 5+5reb+1ast, M.Savic 4+5reb+4ast
Zadar: L.Stipic 24+2reb+1ast, E.Podrug 14+17reb+6ast, T.Turic 14+4reb+3ast, T.Williams 12+10reb+3ast, A.Bozic 6+1reb, K.Milkovic 5+3reb+2ast

Sibenik - Rijeka 78-60

Rather predictable result when third ranked Sibenik (10-4) won against at home 7th ranked Rijeka (6-8) 78-60 on Saturday. American forward Tamia Lawhorne (186-2001, college: Marshall) notched 33 points (!!!) and 7 rebounds to lead the effort and British forward Dora Cipcic (181-1998, college: Georgian Court) supported her with 12 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Even 15 points and 8 rebounds by Lana Pozder (-2009) did not help to save the game for Rijeka. Forward Ivona Krakic (188-1999, college: Georgian Court) added 13 points and 8 rebounds for the guests. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Sibenik maintains third position with 10-4 record having four points less than leader Tresnjevka. Loser Rijeka keeps the seventh place with eight games lost. Sibenik will meet at home Zadar Plus (#4) in the next round. Rijeka will play against Zagreb and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Sibenik: T.Lawhorne 33+7reb+2ast, D.Cipcic 12+7reb+4ast, A.Johnson 11+5reb+5ast, M.Kaucic 7+3reb+2ast, A.Strize 4+1reb+2ast, P.Baban 3+3reb
Rijeka: L.Pozder 15+8reb, I.Krakic 13+8reb+1ast, E.Rexhepi 9+4reb+1ast, N.Brajac 6+7reb+9ast, J.Tuftan 6, D.Brandic 5

Zadar Plus - Tresnjevka 66-103

An interesting game for Tresnjevka (14-0) which played road game in Zadar against 4th ranked Zadar Plus (9-5). Top-ranked Tresnjevka had an easy win 103-66. Tresnjevka dominated down low during the game scoring 62 of its points in the paint compared to Zadar Plus' 34. Tresnjevka forced 20 Zadar Plus turnovers. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 25 assists comparing to just 12 passes made by Zadar Plus' players. American guard Kiara Smith (178-1998, college: Florida) scored 21 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists to lead the charge for the winners and the former international forward Lena Bilic (189-2007) chipped in 24 points and 5 rebounds (perfect from downtown making all six shots !!!) during the contest. Five Tresnjevka players scored in double figures. The former international Sara Boric (179-2000) responded with 15 points and center Katarina Trehub (192-1997) scored 11 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Tresnjevka have an impressive 14-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 14-0 record. Zadar Plus at the other side keep the fourth place with five games lost. Tresnjevka's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Zagreb to the arena Pula-Orca.
Top scorers:
Tresnjevka: L.Bilic 24+5reb+3ast, K.Smith 21+6reb+6ast, F.Cuklin 16+5reb+4ast, D.Zaja 15+4reb+1ast, N.Novak 13+4reb+2ast, N.Rodek 7+1reb+5ast
Zadar Plus: S.Boric 15+3reb+3ast, K.Trehub 11+5reb+5ast, N.Spaic 11+3reb, M.Drazic 8+3reb, A.Dingle 8+2reb+1ast, A.Alispahic 6+4reb+1ast