Premijer Liga Round 18 (Regular Season): No surprise as #1 Ragusa defeats Pula-Orca

The games are now more important than at the beginning of the Regular Season. We may still expect few shocking results in upcoming 4 rounds. The round 18 was rather boring as all games ended with very predictable results. Here is the last round review presented by LBM Management.

Premijer Liga top team - Ragusa (17-1) had no problems winning another game on Saturday. This time they crushed twelfth ranked Pula-Orca (2-16) in Zagreb 101-59. Ragusa dominated down low during the game scoring 68 of its points in the paint compared to Pula-Orca's 40. Ragusa forced 24 Pula-Orca turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 37 assists comparing to just 16 passes made by Pula-Orca's players. The former international forward Lea Hajdin (181-1998, agency: BIG) scored 20 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the charge for the winners and Bosnian center Andjela Sipka (186-2002) chipped in 20 points and 7 rebounds during the contest. The best for the losing side was Bosnian center Merjema Bucuk (186-2001) with 19 points. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Ragusa have an impressive 12-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains first position with 17-1 record, which they share with Tresnjevka. Pula-Orca lost fifteenth consecutive game. They stay at the bottom place with 16 games lost. Ragusa is looking forward to face Pozega (#6) at home in the next round where they are favorite. Pula-Orca will play against Zadar (#8) and is hoping to prove to their fans that they can break losing series.
An interesting game took place in Zagreb where higher ranked Rijeka (7-11) was upset on the court of eleventh ranked Medvescak (4-14) 67-50. Forward Jelena Brkicic (180-2006) notched a double-double by scoring 19 points and 12 rebounds to lead the effort and Gabriela Grizelj supported her with 25 points and 4 assists. Even 9 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists by the former international guard Nerea Brajac (173-1999, college: Georgian Court) did not help to save the game for Rijeka. Medvescak moved-up to tenth place, which they share with Brod na Savi. Rijeka at the other side keeps the seventh position with 11 games lost. Medvescak will play against higher ranked Sibenik (#3) on the road in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Rijeka will play against the league's second-placed Tresnjevka (#2) where they are definitely not considered as a favorite in this game either.

There were no shocking results in the other games in round 18: Sibenik destroyed Brod na Savi on the opponent's court 90-64. KAZL Split was outscored by Zagreb in a home game 50-79. Zadar was rolled over Tresnjevka on the road 81-49. Zadar Plus defeated Pozega on its own court 81-74.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 42 points (!!!), 7 rebounds and 10 assists by Asiah Dingle of Zadar Plus.

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 - Sibenik 64-90

Very expected game in Slavonski Brod where 10th ranked Brod na Savi (4-14) was crushed by third ranked Sibenik (13-5) 90-64. Sibenik outrebounded Brod na Savi 45-31 including a 36-22 advantage in defensive rebounds. Sibenik shot the lights out from three nailing 15 long-distance shots on high 55.6 percentage. The former international forward Andjela Strize (177-1999) notched 22 points, 6 rebounds and 9 assists to lead the effort and American forward Tamia Lawhorne (186-2001, college: Marshall) supported her with 26 points and 7 rebounds (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field). Four Sibenik players scored in double figures. Even a double-double of 13 points and 15 rebounds by American forward Demi Burdick (188-1998, college: Delaware) did not help to save the game for Brod na Savi. Her fellow American import guard Taylor Langan (178, college: Rider) added 17 points. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Sibenik maintains third position with 13-5 record having four points less than leader Ragusa. Brod na Savi at the other side keeps the tenth place with 14 games lost. They share the position with Medvescak. Sibenik will play against Medvescak (#11) in Zagreb in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Brod na Savi will play on the road against Zagreb and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Sibenik: T.Lawhorne 26+7reb, A.Strize 22+6reb+9ast, A.Johnson 10+8reb+3ast, D.Cipcic 10+12reb+1ast, N.Dzafic 9+4reb, D.Saric 6+3reb
Brod na Savi: T.Langan 17+3reb+1ast, D.Burdick 13+15reb+1ast, A.Ahmad 13+2reb+2ast, A.Ilakovac 7+1reb, A.Stankovic 6+5reb, K.Rimarcuk 6+3ast

KAZL Split - Zagreb 50-79

Very predictable result when fourth ranked Zagreb (12-6) smashed on the road 9th ranked KAZL Split (5-13) 79-50. Zagreb outrebounded KAZL Split 53-31 including a 35-21 advantage in defensive rebounds. Ukrainian Khrystyna Kulesha (185-2004) notched a double-double by scoring 12 points and 12 rebounds to lead the effort and point guard Hana Arnautovic (174-2007) supported her with 7 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists. Even 10 points and 7 rebounds by swingman Iva Bosnjak (182-2001) did not help to save the game for KAZL Split. Swingman Ana Pavic (174-2007) added 12 points and 6 rebounds. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Zagreb have an impressive five-game winning streak. They maintain fourth position with 12-6 record. KAZL Split at the other side keeps the ninth place with 13 games lost. Zagreb will play against Brod na Savi (#10) in Slavonski Brod in the next round where they are favorite. KAZL Split will play at home against Zadar Plus and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Zagreb: M.Boyd 17+4reb+1ast, K.Kulesha 12+12reb, K.Skare 10+4reb, M.Savic 10+5reb+2ast, M.Ostojic 10+9reb+3ast, L.Vukic 9+8reb+3ast
KAZL Split: A.Pavic 12+6reb+2ast, N.Zubac 11+5reb, I.Bosnjak 10+7reb+3ast, G.Pirjak 8+2reb+1ast, K.Sokanovic 4+6reb+2ast, N.Bilic 3+1reb+1ast

Medvescak - Rijeka 67-50

An interesting game took place in Zagreb where higher ranked Rijeka (7-11) was upset on the court of eleventh ranked Medvescak (4-14) 67-50. Forward Jelena Brkicic (180-2006) notched a double-double by scoring 19 points and 12 rebounds to lead the effort and guard Gabriela Grizelj (172-2001) supported her with 25 points and 4 assists. Even 9 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists by the former international guard Nerea Brajac (173-1999, college: Georgian Court) did not help to save the game for Rijeka. Forward Ivona Krakic (188-1999, college: Georgian Court) added 9 points and 9 rebounds. Medvescak moved-up to tenth place, which they share with Brod na Savi. Rijeka at the other side keeps the seventh position with 11 games lost. Medvescak will play against higher ranked Sibenik (#3) on the road in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Rijeka will play against the league's second-placed Tresnjevka (#2) where they are definitely not considered as a favorite in this game either.
Top scorers:
Medvescak: G.Grizelj 25+1reb+4ast, J.Brkicic 19+12reb+2ast, L.Zelic 8+1reb, K.Sekulic 5+5reb+4ast, M.Soldo 5+7reb+6ast, I.Mamic 3+4reb+2ast
Rijeka: J.Tuftan 12+4reb, N.Brajac 9+8reb+4ast, D.Brandic 9+7reb+2ast, I.Krakic 9+9reb+1ast, M.Jurcic 5+1reb, L.Strilic 4+5reb+5ast

Pula-Orca - Ragusa 59-101

Premijer Liga top team - Ragusa (17-1) had no problems winning another game on Saturday. This time they crushed twelfth ranked Pula-Orca (2-16) in Zagreb 101-59. Ragusa dominated down low during the game scoring 68 of its points in the paint compared to Pula-Orca's 40. Ragusa forced 24 Pula-Orca turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 37 assists comparing to just 16 passes made by Pula-Orca's players. The former international forward Lea Hajdin (181-1998, agency: BIG) scored 20 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the charge for the winners and Bosnian center Andjela Sipka (186-2002) chipped in 20 points and 7 rebounds during the contest. Five Ragusa players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was Bosnian center Merjema Bucuk (186-2001) with 19 points and swingman Ana Mise (175-2000) scored 9 points and 9 rebounds. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Ragusa have an impressive 12-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains first position with 17-1 record, which they share with Tresnjevka. Pula-Orca lost fifteenth consecutive game. They stay at the bottom place with 16 games lost. Ragusa is looking forward to face Pozega (#6) at home in the next round where they are favorite. Pula-Orca will play against Zadar (#8) and is hoping to prove to their fans that they can break losing series.
Top scorers:
Ragusa: A.Sipka 20+7reb+1ast, L.Hajdin 20+5reb+4ast, N.Vuckovic 19+3ast, S.Boyomo 13+9reb+3ast, E.Majstorovic 11+3reb+7ast, A.Milat 8+1reb+1ast
Pula-Orca: M.Bucuk 19+4reb, J.Kapisoda 10+1reb+1ast, A.Mise 9+9reb+2ast, M.Vrdoljak 8+6reb+5ast, S.Apiyo 5+1reb+1ast, I.Pesut 3+3reb+4ast

Tresnjevka - Zadar 81-49

Not a big story in a game in Zagreb where 8th ranked Zadar (6-12) was rolled over by second ranked Tresnjevka (17-1) 81-49. Tresnjevka forced 19 Zadar turnovers and outrebounded them 45-33 including 30 on the defensive glass. Tresnjevka players were unselfish on offense dishing 23 assists. The former international forward Lena Bilic (189-2007) notched 19 points to lead the effort and the former international power forward Dorja Zaja (190-2004) supported her with 15 points, 5 rebounds and 5 blocks (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field). Four Tresnjevka players scored in double figures. Even 19 points and 7 rebounds by American guard Taylor Williams (173-2001, college: Southern) did not help to save the game for Zadar. The former international power forward Josipa Zovko (188-1990) added 5 points and 7 rebounds. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Tresnjevka keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Ragusa. Newly promoted Zadar keeps the eighth place with 12 games lost. Tresnjevka will play against Rijeka (#7) on the road in the next round where they are favorite. Zadar will play against Pula-Orca and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Tresnjevka: L.Bilic 19+3reb+3ast, D.Zaja 15+5reb+2ast, Z.Valcic 11+4reb+1ast, L.Marsic 10+6reb+1ast, K.Smith 7+7reb+3ast, N.Novak 7+5reb+2ast
Zadar: T.Williams 19+7reb+2ast, M.Dobric 7+2reb+1ast, A.Bozic 5+4reb+1ast, K.Milkovic 5+4reb, J.Zovko 5+7reb+1ast, T.Turic 3+3reb+5ast

Zadar Plus - Pozega 81-74

Everything could happen at the game between two tied teams. Both fifth ranked Zadar Plus and 6th ranked Pozega had identical 10-7 record. This time Zadar Plus used a home court advantage and beat the opponent from Pozega 81-74. Zadar Plus made 24-of-29 charity shots (82.8 percent) during the game. Pozega was plagued by 25 personal fouls down the stretch. American guard Asiah Dingle (165-2000, college: Fordham, agency: BIG) notched a double-double by scoring 42 points (!!!), 7 rebounds and 10 assists to lead the effort and the former international forward Jelena Ljubos (182-2004) supported her with 13 points and 8 rebounds. Dingle is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Even 16 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists and 5 steals by the former international forward Lea Miletic (184-1995) did not help to save the game for Pozega. Serbian center Jelena Zoric (185-1992) added 14 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Four Pozega players scored in double figures. Zadar Plus maintains fifth position with 11-7 record. Pozega at the other side keeps the sixth place with eight games lost. Zadar Plus will play against KAZL Split (#9) on the road in the next round. Pozega will play against the league's leader Ragusa in Dubrovnik and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Zadar Plus: A.Dingle 42+7reb+10ast, T.Diggs 16+6reb, J.Ljubos 13+8reb+1ast, S.Herceg 6+4reb+2ast, M.Drazic 4+6reb, D.Balic 0
Pozega: L.Miletic 16+9reb+6ast, E.Broermann 15+7reb, L.Packovski 14+6reb+4ast, J.Zoric 14+7reb+4ast, J.Ivezic 7+7reb+1ast, I.Ujevic 4+3reb+1ast