KK Zabok – KK Rogaška 86:62 (25:10, 27:22, 23:15, 11:14)
Referees: Kadhodae, Ivanković, Dvorani (all Austria)
Attendance: 200
Venue: Gradska sportska dvorana, Zabok
Scorers – Zabok: Jacović 16, Kučan and Tomić each 14, Garrett 12, Bašić 9, Prskalo 7, Luakčić 6, Stipaničev 5, Martinko 3
Scorers – Rogaška: Riley 13, Kavkler 10, Durnik, Močnik and Tabak each 9, Baptiste 7, Miličević 3, Kraljević 2, Colnarić and Branković 0
Zabok team had a furious start, and took a huge lead in the third minute (14:0), in the eight minute Fran Jacović raised the lead to 17 points (22:5). Guests couldn’t respond to Zabok’s energy and aggression, and the first quarter ended with a 15-point lead (25:10). Zabok kept raising the lead in the second quarter, when Jakov Stipaničev made a three pointer in the 19th minute for a 22-point lead, and the half time score was 52:32.
Mihael Tomic had a great start in the second half with two three pointers, and Ivan Kučan hit a three pointer for a 32 point lead (71:39). Guests tried to surprise with a zone defense in the last quarter, but it was too late and Zabok took a convincing win.
Post-game quotes:
Jakša Vulić , coach of Zabok: “This win means a lot for our confidence. Rogaška played a game against Timisoara yesterday and they were worn out, and they lost their best player Jan Špan. It made it easier for us, but that doesn’t mean my players don’t deserve credit. This is a good game for the finish of the preparation period before the start of Croatian championship.”
Fran Jacovic, player of Zabok: “We’ve had a deal before the start of the game to start with high energy and as few mistakes and turnovers as possible, and we made it. We ‘ve had a good start, and the team looked good from the first minute. We kept our energy high untill the last minute, and we deserved this win.”
Peter Markovinović, coach of Rogaška: “Congratulations to Zabok, they deserved a win. This loss is our own fault, we started too soft. It was our second game in two days, so we weren’t in the game 100%. But that doesn’t mean Zabok didn’t deserve to win the game.”
Patrik Tabak, player of Rogaška: “We started the game with very low energy, later we tried to push it, but it was too late. We have to make a better approach, and we have to look better, both in offense and deffence.”
