By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Thanks to a sizzling first half, Cedevita downed Partizan 83 – 76 in Zagreb drawing first blood in the best-of-three series that will determine which team will advance to the ABA League title games.
The Croatians outscored their opponents 54 – 35 after 20 minutes, a lead which basically acted as a safety pillow that absorbed all comeback efforts that Partizan made after halftime.
John Shurna had 15 points, Miro BIlan 13 plus 9 rebounds while Toni Katic and Ryan Boatright scored 11 each for the winning squad with the latter also dropping 4 assists.
Neither Will Hatcher’s 18 points and 7 assists, nor Novica Velickovic’s 14 points and 8 rebounds were enough for Partizan.
The second semifinal is taking place in Belgrade on 25/3.