Premijer Liga Round 19 (Regular Season): Ragusa keep a leadership position

The Regular Season in Premijer Liga is slowly approaching the end. But there may be still some important changes in the final standings in the last 3 rounds. Here is the last round review presented by LBM Management.

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Ragusa as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Ragusa smashed 6th ranked Pozega in Dubrovnik 85-53. Ragusa dominated down low during the game scoring 66 of its points in the paint compared to Pozega's 40. Ragusa forced 27 Pozega turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists comparing to just 13 passes made by Pozega's players. The former international forward Lea Hajdin (181-1998, agency: BIG) fired a double-double by scoring 27 points and 11 rebounds for the winners. Naturalized Serbian Nevena Vuckovic (177-1998) chipped in 17 points and 5 rebounds. Ragusa's coach Simona Soda felt very confident using entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Serbian center Jelena Zoric (185-1992) produced 19 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists for lost side. Ragusa (18-1) have an impressive series of thirteen victories in a row. As mentioned above they are at the top of the standings, which they share with Tresnjevka. Pozega at the other side keeps the sixth place with nine games lost. Pozega will play next round against Zadar trying to get back on the winning streak. Ragusa will try to continue on its current victory against fifth ranked Zadar Plus on the road.
The game in Rijeka was also worth to mention about. Second ranked Tresnjevka (18-1) played at the court of 7th ranked Rijeka (7-12). Tresnjevka defeated Rijeka 60-47. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international forward Viktorija Curic (187-2001) who helped to win the game recording 16 points and 7 rebounds. Kiara Smith contributed with 13 points and 7 rebounds for the winners. Tresnjevka's coach Dean Nemec allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Forward Ivona Krakic (188-1999, college: Georgian Court) answered with 8 points and 12 rebounds for Rijeka. Tresnjevka keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Ragusa. Rijeka at the other side keeps the seventh place with 12 games lost. They share the position with Zadar. Tresnjevka will play against Sibenik (#3) at home in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Rijeka will play against Pula-Orca (#12) in Zagreb and hopes to get back on the winning track.
The game with biggest result difference took place in Zagreb. Local Zagreb (13-6) outscored 10th ranked Brod na Savi (4-15) 113-80 on Sunday night. Worth to mention a quality performance of Meghan Boyd who helped to win the game recording 31 points and 7 rebounds. Zagreb's coach Danica Talajic felt very confident using entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. At the losing side Aliyah-Deen Ahmad responded with 21 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. The victory was the sixth consecutive win for Zagreb. They maintain fourth place with 13-6 record. Brod na Savi lost their third game in a row. They keep the tenth position with 15 games lost. They share it with Medvescak. Zagreb's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Zagreb to the arena Medvescak.

Other games of round 19 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Zadar Plus defeated KAZL Split in a road game 79-67. Sibenik smashed Medvescak at home 85-59. Bottom-ranked Pula-Orca was destroyed by Zadar on the opponent's court 85-55.
The best stats of 19th round was 26 points and 11 rebounds by Taylor Williams of Zadar.

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 - Tresnjevka 47-60

The game in Rijeka was also worth to mention about. Second ranked Tresnjevka (18-1) played at the court of 7th ranked Rijeka (7-12). Tresnjevka defeated Rijeka 60-47. Tresnjevka forced 21 Rijeka turnovers. Rijeka was plagued by 26 personal fouls down the stretch. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international forward Viktorija Curic (187-2001) who helped to win the game recording 16 points and 7 rebounds. American guard Kiara Smith (178-1998, college: Florida) contributed with 13 points and 7 rebounds for the winners. Tresnjevka's coach Dean Nemec allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Forward Ivona Krakic (188-1999, college: Georgian Court) answered with 8 points and 12 rebounds and the former international guard Nerea Brajac (173-1999, college: Georgian Court) added 12 points in the effort for Rijeka. Tresnjevka keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Ragusa. Rijeka at the other side keeps the seventh place with 12 games lost. They share the position with Zadar. Tresnjevka will play against Sibenik (#3) at home in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Rijeka will play against Pula-Orca (#12) in Zagreb and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Tresnjevka: V.Curic 16+7reb+2ast, K.Smith 13+7reb+2ast, Z.Valcic 12+2reb, N.Novak 7+3reb+3ast, N.Rodek 4+7reb+3ast, L.Marsic 4+5reb+1ast
Rijeka: N.Brajac 12+4reb, D.Brandic 9+4reb, I.Krakic 8+12reb+2ast, L.Strilic 8+2reb+4ast, M.Jurcic 5, J.Tuftan 3+8reb+1ast

KAZL Split - Zadar Plus 67-79

There was no surprise when 9th ranked KAZL Split (5-14) was defeated at home by fifth ranked Zadar Plus (12-7) 79-67 on Sunday. It was a great evening for American guard Asiah Dingle (165-2000, college: Fordham, agency: BIG) who led her team to a victory scoring 31 points and 5 rebounds. Forward Magdalena Drazic (175-2004) helped adding 12 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. Dingle is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Four Zadar Plus players scored in double figures. At the losing side Serbian-Bosnian center Nikolina Zubac (189-1998) responded with 32 points (made all of her ten free throws !!!) and swingman Iva Bosnjak (182-2001) scored 23 points and 9 rebounds. Zadar Plus maintains fifth place with 12-7 record. KAZL Split lost their third game in a row. They keep the ninth position with 14 games lost. Zadar Plus will meet at home league's leader Ragusa in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. KAZL Split will play against Brod na Savi (#10) in Slavonski Brod and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Zadar Plus: A.Dingle 31+5reb+2ast, T.Diggs 14+9reb+1ast, S.Herceg 13+3reb+4ast, M.Drazic 12+7reb+5ast, J.Ljubos 9+4reb+4ast, N.Spaic 0
KAZL Split: N.Zubac 32+3reb+1ast, I.Bosnjak 23+9reb+2ast, N.Bilic 4+4reb+3ast, K.Sokanovic 4+12reb, A.Pavic 2+2reb+4ast, Z.Barac 2+2reb+3ast

Zagreb - Brod na Savi 113-80

The game with biggest result difference took place in Zagreb. Local Zagreb (13-6) outscored 10th ranked Brod na Savi (4-15) 113-80 on Sunday night. Zagreb dominated down low during the game scoring 70 of its points in the paint compared to Brod na Savi's 32. They outrebounded Brod na Savi 51-35 including 18 on the offensive glass. Zagreb looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. Worth to mention a quality performance of American guard Meghan Boyd (155, college: Colorado St.) who helped to win the game recording 31 points and 7 rebounds. Ukrainian Khrystyna Kulesha (185-2004) helped adding 28 points and 9 rebounds. Zagreb's coach Danica Talajic felt very confident using entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. At the losing side American guard Aliyah-Deen Ahmad (170-1998, college: FMU) responded with 21 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists and the other American import guard Taylor Langan (178, college: Rider) produced a double-double by scoring 15 points and 13 rebounds. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. The victory was the sixth consecutive win for Zagreb. They maintain fourth place with 13-6 record. Brod na Savi lost their third game in a row. They keep the tenth position with 15 games lost. They share it with Medvescak. Zagreb's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Zagreb to the arena Medvescak.
Top scorers:
Zagreb: M.Boyd 31+7reb+3ast, K.Kulesha 28+9reb+1ast, L.Vukic 18+10reb+2ast, K.Skare 12+7reb+5ast, M.Savic 11+7reb+1ast, H.Arnautovic 7+4reb+5ast
Brod na Savi: A.Ahmad 21+6reb+5ast, T.Langan 15+13reb+3ast, K.Rimarcuk 14+4reb+3ast, D.Burdick 14+5reb+1ast, A.Stankovic 10+3reb, M.Lovric 6+2reb

Ragusa - Pozega 85-53

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Ragusa as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Ragusa smashed 6th ranked Pozega in Dubrovnik 85-53. Ragusa dominated down low during the game scoring 66 of its points in the paint compared to Pozega's 40. Ragusa forced 27 Pozega turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists comparing to just 13 passes made by Pozega's players. The former international forward Lea Hajdin (181-1998, agency: BIG) fired a double-double by scoring 27 points and 11 rebounds for the winners. Naturalized Serbian Nevena Vuckovic (177-1998) chipped in 17 points and 5 rebounds. Four Ragusa players scored in double figures. Ragusa's coach Simona Soda felt very confident using entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Serbian center Jelena Zoric (185-1992) produced 19 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists and the former international forward Jelena Ivezic (183-1984) added 17 points and 5 rebounds respectively for lost side. Ragusa (18-1) have an impressive series of thirteen victories in a row. As mentioned above they are at the top of the standings, which they share with Tresnjevka. Pozega at the other side keeps the sixth place with nine games lost. Pozega will play next round against Zadar trying to get back on the winning streak. Ragusa will try to continue on its current victory against fifth ranked Zadar Plus on the road.
Top scorers:
Ragusa: L.Hajdin 27+11reb+2ast, N.Vuckovic 17+5reb+2ast, S.Boyomo 14+5reb+2ast, I.Todoric 12+5reb+7ast, C.Miloglav 7+4reb+9ast, A.Sipka 5+1ast
Pozega: J.Zoric 19+6reb+5ast, J.Ivezic 17+5reb+2ast, L.Packovski 10+7reb+4ast, L.Basic 5+1reb+1ast, E.Broermann 2+6reb, S.Hak 0

Sibenik - Medvescak 85-59

No shocking result in a game when third ranked Sibenik (14-5) smashed at home 11th ranked Medvescak (4-15) 85-59 on Saturday. Sibenik forced 22 Medvescak turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. It was a great evening for American forward Tamia Lawhorne (186-2001, college: Marshall) who led her team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 10 rebounds. The former international forward Andjela Strize (177-1999) helped adding 9 points, 9 rebounds and 9 assists. Four Sibenik players scored in double figures. At the losing side guard Gabriela Grizelj (172-2001) responded with 4 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists and forward Jelena Brkicic (180-2006) scored 15 points (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. The victory was the third consecutive win for Sibenik. They maintain third place with 14-5 record having four points less than leader Ragusa. Loser Medvescak dropped to the tenth position with 15 games lost. They share it with Brod na Savi. Sibenik will meet league's second-placed Tresnjevka in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Medvescak'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:
Sibenik: T.Lawhorne 19+10reb+1ast, D.Cipcic 18+5reb+2ast, A.Johnson 13+8reb+5ast, M.Kaucic 11+3reb+1ast, A.Strize 9+9reb+9ast, N.Dzafic 5+5reb
Medvescak: J.Brkicic 15+3reb, M.Perkovic 8+3reb+1ast, K.Sekulic 7+7reb+3ast, B.Maricic 6+1reb+1ast, I.Mamic 6+4reb+1ast, M.Soldo 5+4reb+2ast

Zadar - Pula-Orca 85-55

Very expected game when 12th ranked Pula-Orca (2-17) was rolled over on the road by eighth ranked Zadar (7-12) 85-55 on Saturday. Zadar dominated down low during the game scoring 56 of its points in the paint compared to Pula-Orca's 30. It was a great evening for American guard Taylor Williams (173-2001, college: Southern) who led her team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 26 points and 11 rebounds. The former international center Emilija Podrug (190-1979) helped adding 20 points and 12 rebounds. Coach Luka Bujas's team controlled all game and the coach could let to play 11 players and allowed the starting five to get some rest. At the losing side swingman Ana Mise (175-2000) responded with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 10 rebounds and Bosnian center Merjema Bucuk (186-2001) scored 12 points and 9 rebounds. Zadar moved-up to seventh place, which they share with Rijeka. Pula-Orca lost their sixteenth game in a row. They stay at the bottom position with 17 games lost. Zadar will meet higher ranked Pozega (#6) on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Pula-Orca will play against Rijeka (#7) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Zadar: T.Williams 26+11reb+3ast, E.Podrug 20+12reb+3ast, T.Turic 13+3reb+1ast, A.Bozic 8+3reb+3ast, J.Zovko 6+4reb+4ast, M.Dobric 6+3reb
Pula-Orca: A.Mise 17+10reb+3ast, M.Bucuk 12+9reb, S.Apiyo 8+4reb+1ast, M.Vrdoljak 8+5reb+1ast, A.Babic 5+3reb+2ast, J.Kapisoda 5+2reb+1ast