Croatian team from Skrljevo took a big step torwards play-offs. They got an important 71:73-victory in Brno.
EGOÉ BASKET BRNO : BC ADRIAOIL ŠKRLJEVO
71:73 (14:14, 29:31, 48:51)
Referees: Matějek, Kurz, Karafiát (all CZE).
Audience: 125.
Venue: Ball games hall FSpS MU (Brno, CZE).
Scorers Brno: Roby 21, Farský 18, Keely 16, Geiger 11, Jokl 3, Nehyba 2.
Scorers Klosterneuburg: Yacoubou 18, Stemberger 14, Usić 13, Williams 12, Spence, Sarac (both 6), Krajina 4.
Gallery & Statistics
The match was tied since the beginning. Krajina opened the score with a two-point jump shot. Whole first quarter we traded basket for basket and neither of the teams was able to get a bigger lead. Second quarter was similar. This time it was Farský from Brno who scored the first basket. The biggest score differential that we held was by four point for approximately a one and a half minute. We scored our last basket two minutes before the end of the half and since then Croatian team got a two-point lead. Players went to their locker rooms and the score was 29:31.
There was no surprise in the second half and the match was very close again. Škrljevo got a four-point lead and they were trying to hold on to it. Unfortunately for them we kept scoring and did not let the visitors raise their lead. Three minutes before the end of a quarter Croatians made three three-point shot which got them a more comfortable eight-point lead. But we reacted quickly and thanks to free throws and precise three-point shot from Farský cut the lead to only three points. The last quarter was tied. Even though we were desperately trying to turn the tables and take the lead Škrljevo kept calm and executed patiently. Twenty-four second before the end we were just one point behind but then we missed a floating jump shot and a layup. With that our last hope died. Croatians took the win (71:73).
Mirko Ščekić, assistant coach of BK Klosterneuburg Dukes: “It was a really tough match. We did not play well in the first half, but we started to play better defence at the end and it ended up better for us. Our opponent played well, it was a good game. Unfortunately, they had less luck at the end, so we took the win. I saw our number of rebounds, we had forty-three in total, so it probably played a role as well.”
Chris Chougaz, head coach of Egoé Basket Brno: “Congratulation to our opponents for the win. It was tough for us to play without Stegbauer. I did not like the amount of points from turnovers that we got and also the amount of their second chance points. But I liked that we played until the end, did not give up and tried to win the game. We must continue to play better and better and of course, we have to win games.”
David Usić, player of BC Adraoil Škrljevo: “First of all congratulations to Brno for a very good game. For us I think the key was our defence. We communicated in defence very well. It is always hard to go away and get a win, so I am very happy for that. This is a good step forward for us.”
Martin Vyroubal, player od Egoé Basket Brno: “Like coach said, the biggest problem were our thirteen turnovers. That relates to the amount of point that we got from fast breaks. They scored fifteen points from fast breaks, I think. That is not good at all. What a big role as well were their offensive rebound. Twelve offensive rebounds in a game is just too much. Before the match we believed that we could be able to break our losing streak. We fought until the end, did not give up, but unfortunately it was Škrljevo who was happier after the end. Congratulations to our opponents.”
