Premijer Liga Round 5 (Regular Season): Ragusa keep a leadership position

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 bottom-ranked Medvescak in Dubrovnik 102-51. Ragusa made 20-of-24 free shots (83.3 percent) during the game. They also forced 26 Medvescak turnovers and outrebounded them 39-26 including 25 on the defensive glass. Ragusa looked well-organized offensively handing out 33 assists comparing to just 10 passes made by Medvescak's players. Serbian center Jelena Zoric (185-1992) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 17 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field) for the winners and naturalized Serbian Nevena Vuckovic (177-1998) chipped in 22 points. responded with 9 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. Undefeated Ragusa (5-0) have an impressive series of five victories in a row. As mentioned above they are at the top of the standings, which they share with Tresnjevka. Medvescak at the other side still closes the standings with five games lost. They share the position with Split. Medvescak will play next round against Rijeka trying to get back on the winning streak. Ragusa will try to continue on its current victory against third ranked Brod na Savi in Slavonski Brod.
Very significant was Brod na Savi's (#3) 24-point road victory against 5th ranked Zagreb 79-55. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Zagreb. nailed a double-double by scoring 23 points and 10 rebounds for the winning side and Kiara Jackson accounted for 19 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. American forward Kylee Blacksten (190-2002, college: WVU) came up with 21 points and 7 rebounds for Zagreb in the defeat. Brod na Savi maintains third place with 4-1 record behind leader Ragusa, which they share with Sibenik. Zagreb at the other side keeps the fifth position with two games lost. They share it with Pozega. Brod na Savi will play against league's leader Ragusa in Dubrovnik in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Zagreb will play on the road against Pozega (#5) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Zadar Plus has registered their first victory this season after four consecutive losses. The win is especially important as it came on the road game in Split, where they outplayed KAZL Split (1-4) 87-65 on Saturday. The best player for the winners was Brooke Flowers who had a double-double by scoring 26 points, 17 rebounds and 5 blocks (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field). Emilija Podrug produced 8 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists for the hosts. KAZL Split's coach gave up on the game allowing to play eleven players seeing no chance for a win. Zadar Plus left bottom position moving up to ninth place, which they share with defeated KAZL Split. It was KAZL Split's fourth loss in a row. Zadar Plus will meet at home bottom-ranked Split (#12) in the next round. KAZL Split will play against the league's second-placed Tresnjevka and will have a slim chance for a victory.

There were no shocking results in the rest of the games of round 5: winless Split was destroyed by Rijeka on the opponent's court 99-51. Sibenik managed to outperform Pozega in a home game 91-78. Zadar lost to undefeated Tresnjevka on the road 34-93.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 22 points, 16 rebounds and 6 assists by Ana Vojtulek of Tresnjevka.

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 - Split 99-51

Rather expected game when bottom-ranked Split (0-5) was crushed on the road by ninth ranked Rijeka (2-3) 99-51 on Friday. Rijeka forced 19 Split turnovers and outrebounded them 49-31 including a 31-18 advantage in defensive rebounds. Rijeka looked well-organized offensively handing out 29 assists comparing to just 7 passes made by Split's players. The best player for the winners was Anja Konjevic (186-1994) who had a double-double by scoring 19 points and 15 rebounds. Serbian power forward Marijana Zukanovic (189-1999, agency: Olsta) chipped in a double-double by scoring 12 points and 10 rebounds. Four Rijeka players scored in double figures. produced 18 points and American guard Kiara Jackson (170-2003, college: UNLV) added 4 points and 7 rebounds respectively for the guests. 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. Rijeka moved-up to seventh place, which they share with Zadar. Split lost their fifth game in a row. Newly promoted team still closes the standings with five games lost. They share the position with Medvescak. Rijeka will meet Medvescak (#11) in the next round. Split will play against Zadar Plus and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Rijeka: A.Konjevic 19+15reb+3ast, P.Lana 12+2reb, B.Dorotea 12+4reb+2ast, M.Zukanovic 12+10reb+3ast, D.Maja 9+3reb, M.Masic 8+1reb+6ast
Split: T.Iva 18+4reb+2ast, P.Lara 9+2reb, K.Ana 7+2reb, T.Bruna 7+1reb+1ast, M.Bruna 6+2reb+1ast, S.Edita 4+7reb+2ast

KAZL Split - Zadar Plus 65-87

Zadar Plus has registered their first victory this season after four consecutive losses. The win is especially important as it came on the road game in Split, where they outplayed KAZL Split (1-4) 87-65 on Saturday. Zadar Plus had a 34-22 advantage in offensive rebounds. The best player for the winners was American center Brooke Flowers (195-2000, college: St.Louis) who had a double-double by scoring 26 points, 17 rebounds and 5 blocks (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field). chipped in 24 points and 8 rebounds. The former international center Emilija Podrug (190-1979) produced 8 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists and Serbian power forward Marijana Zukanovic (189-1999, agency: Olsta) added 9 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists respectively for the hosts. KAZL Split's coach gave up on the game allowing to play eleven players seeing no chance for a win. Zadar Plus left bottom position moving up to ninth place, which they share with defeated KAZL Split. It was KAZL Split's fourth loss in a row. Zadar Plus will meet at home bottom-ranked Split (#12) in the next round. KAZL Split will play against the league's second-placed Tresnjevka and will have a slim chance for a victory.
Top scorers:
Zadar Plus: B.Flowers 26+17reb+1ast, V.Lea 24+8reb+2ast, H.Sara 16+5reb+4ast, D.Andrea 9+4reb+8ast, J.Arnwine 7+1reb+3ast, A.Benally 3+1ast
KAZL Split: M.Lea 12+1reb, M.Ana 9+5reb+6ast, P.Ivana 9+5reb+1ast, E.Podrug 8+11reb+6ast, S.Klara 8+2reb, J.Zovko 5+3reb+6ast

Ragusa - Medvescak 102-51

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Ragusa as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Ragusa smashed bottom-ranked Medvescak in Dubrovnik 102-51. Ragusa made 20-of-24 free shots (83.3 percent) during the game. They also forced 26 Medvescak turnovers and outrebounded them 39-26 including 25 on the defensive glass. Ragusa looked well-organized offensively handing out 33 assists comparing to just 10 passes made by Medvescak's players. Serbian center Jelena Zoric (185-1992) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 17 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field) for the winners and naturalized Serbian Nevena Vuckovic (177-1998) chipped in 22 points. Four Ragusa players scored in double figures. responded with 9 points and scored 8 points and 6 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 (5-0) have an impressive series of five victories in a row. As mentioned above they are at the top of the standings, which they share with Tresnjevka. Medvescak at the other side still closes the standings with five games lost. They share the position with Split. Medvescak will play next round against Rijeka trying to get back on the winning streak. Ragusa will try to continue on its current victory against third ranked Brod na Savi in Slavonski Brod.
Top scorers:
Ragusa: N.Vuckovic 22+2reb+1ast, J.Mandic 17+6reb+1ast, J.Zoric 17+11reb+4ast, L.Strilic 13+2reb+4ast, M.Ella 9+1reb+1ast, D.Cipcic 5+2reb+1ast
Medvescak: Z.Lana 9+3reb+1ast, S.Katarina 9+3reb+1ast, K.Marina 9+3reb+3ast, H.Lara 8+2reb+2ast, M.Bruna 8+6reb, M.Iva 4+7reb+2ast

Sibenik - Pozega 91-78

Everything could happen at the game between two tied teams. Both fifth ranked Sibenik and 4th placed Pozega had identical 3-1 record. This time Sibenik used a home court advantage and defeated the opponent from Pozega 91-78 on Sunday night. Sibenik made 28-of-36 free shots (77.8 percent) during the game, while Pozega only scored six points from the stripe. The best player for the winners was American guard Bendu Yeaney (178-1998, college: Oregon St.) who had a double-double by scoring 31 points and 12 rebounds. The former international Ivana Ujevic (176-2000) chipped in 19 points and 9 rebounds. The former international forward Lea Miletic (184-1995) produced a double-double by scoring 13 points and 12 rebounds and added 15 points and 8 rebounds respectively for the guests. Four Sibenik and five Pozega players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Sibenik (4-1) moved-up to third place, which they share with Brod na Savi. Loser Pozega dropped to the fifth position with two games lost. They share it with Zagreb. Sibenik will meet Zadar (#8) on the road in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Pozega will play against Zagreb and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Sibenik: B.Yeaney 31+12reb+1ast, D.Kyierah 20+6reb+1ast, I.Ujevic 19+9reb+3ast, A.Strize 16+4reb+3ast, V.Mia 3+4reb+1ast, K.Masa 2+1reb
Pozega: G.Gabriela 15+8reb+1ast, M.James 13+4reb+1ast, L.Miletic 13+12reb+1ast, B.Jelena 12+5reb, M.Caicedo 11+2reb+3ast, S.Marija 11+3reb

Zagreb - Brod na Savi 55-79

Very significant was Brod na Savi's (#3) 24-point road victory against 5th ranked Zagreb 79-55. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Zagreb. nailed a double-double by scoring 23 points and 10 rebounds for the winning side and American guard Kiara Jackson (170-2003, college: UNLV) accounted for 19 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. Four Brod na Savi players scored in double figures. American forward Kylee Blacksten (190-2002, college: WVU) came up with 21 points and 7 rebounds and the former international guard Lana Packovski (172-1994) added 12 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists respectively for Zagreb in the defeat. Brod na Savi maintains third place with 4-1 record behind leader Ragusa, which they share with Sibenik. Zagreb at the other side keeps the fifth position with two games lost. They share it with Pozega. Brod na Savi will play against league's leader Ragusa in Dubrovnik in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Zagreb will play on the road against Pozega (#5) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Brod na Savi: S.ELease 23+10reb, K.Jackson 19+7reb+5ast, P.Edita 17+3reb+3ast, R.Klara 10+6reb+7ast, J.Tea 4+4reb, U.Tamia 4+1reb+1ast
Zagreb: K.Blacksten 21+7reb+1ast, L.Packovski 12+9reb+6ast, E.Jasmine 10+7reb+2ast, C.Franka 6+3reb+1ast, A.Hana 4+4reb+3ast, S.Andrea 2+1reb

Tresnjevka - Zadar 93-34

Not a big story in a game in Zagreb where 7th ranked Zadar (2-3) was rolled over by leader Tresnjevka (5-0) 93-34 on Sunday. Tresnjevka held Zadar to an opponent 18.3 percent shooting from the field compared to 50.0 percent accuracy of the winners. Tresnjevka forced 23 Zadar turnovers and outrebounded them 57-31 including a 40-22 advantage in defensive rebounds. Tresnjevka looked well-organized offensively handing out 30 assists comparing to just 7 passes made by Zadar's players. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Tresnjevka made 8 blocks. The best player for the winners was the former international center Ana Vojtulek (190-1999) who had a double-double by scoring 22 points, 16 rebounds and 6 assists. Hungarian power forward Sara Heljic (193-2000) chipped in 22 points and 9 rebounds. Four Tresnjevka players scored in double figures. Tresnjevka's coach Dean Nemec felt very confident using 10 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Montenegrin Ksenija Kuzmanovic (180-2003) produced 10 points and 5 rebounds and the former international Ivana Ujevic (176-2000) added 10 points and 4 steals respectively for the guests. The victory was the fifth consecutive win for Tresnjevka. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Ragusa. Loser Zadar keeps the seventh place with three games lost. They share the position with Rijeka. Tresnjevka will meet KAZL Split (#10) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Zadar will play against Sibenik and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Tresnjevka: A.Vojtulek 22+16reb+6ast, S.Heljic 22+9reb, N.Nina 12+8reb+7ast, C.Viktorija 12+6reb+4ast, K.Tara 11+4reb+2ast, N.Rodek 8+4reb+5ast
Zadar: S.Lola 10+4reb+1ast, K.Kuzmanovic 10+5reb+1ast, V.Marta 6+2reb+1ast, M.Kujundzic 3+2reb+1ast, M.Karla 3+5reb+2ast, S.Deem 2+11reb+1ast