By Stefan Djordjevic / info@eurohoops.net
CSKA Moscow had an upper hand down the stretch but Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade succeeded in turning things around for an 86-84 home win after overtime.
Although Dejan Davidovac banked a corner three followed by an offensive board and a basket to put Zvezda up 71-70 with a minute remaining, Daniel Hackett – who scored 18 points in the fourth quarter – responded with a triple and the game went to overtime after Jordan Loyd’s free throws.
Emanuel Terry opened the scoring effort for Zvezda with two dunks while Loyd’s three – after a ‘rookie’ mistake by CSKA which improperly inbounded the ball – put them up 80-75. The game went down to the wire once again (84-84) and it was Loyd’s driving layup with 54 seconds left that handed Zvezda the win.
“That was a hell of a win. We’re never satisfied, but that’s a hell of a win. We kept fighting, everybody who played in the game was ready, came in and was aggressive. I’m happy with the outcome for sure. [The difference in the second half was] just being a little more physical. Rebounding. And getting into the paint. We tried to do that in the first half. We weren’t getting some calls. And that’s okay. But we kept driving. Coach was like ‘get into the paint, get into the paint’ and good things happen. It’s never about the numbers for me. I’m more satisfied with guys like Duop [Reath] playing, coming in ready. M.J. [Marko Jagodic-Kuridza] playing. I’m just so excited for the guys and happy with the win,” Loyd said after the win.
Both Hackett and Loyd put on career nights, logging 31 and 29 points respectively. Corey Walden added 12 and Marko Jagodic-Kuridza 11 for Zvezda.
Will Clyburn had 18 on CSKA’s side, helping Hackett who shot 6-8 from deep while also grabbing five rebounds, dishing three assists, and making two steals for a total PIR of 39 (also a career-high).
Crvena Zvezda improved to a 2-2 record while CSKA played one game more and now holds a 2-3 record.
Coach Sasa Obradovic was happy with the performance and the win but would have loved to be able to share it with the full arena: “It’s a huge victory. After struggling in the first half, I think maybe over-respecting a big opponent, we didn’t play the way we wanted to. With a defensive effort, which was amazing in the second half, you get something in offense. This win is big by itself, but I’m just wondering what it would look like with our phenomenal fans. We are really hoping to see them as soon as possible to enjoy these kinds of things.”