By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
With Quincy Miller scoring nine out of his 24 points in overtime, Crvena Zvezda defeated Cedevita 97 – 88, gaining the advantage in the ABA League semifinals.
Contrary to what had transpired in the 40 minutes of the regular time, the extra period was a one-team show. Crvena Zvezda scored 15 points in five minutes, cruising to the final victory. Apart from Miller’s stellar performance, Maik Zirbes had 19 points and 7 rebounds, while Stefan Jovic added 14 plus 8 assists. Jacob Pullen with 24 points and 5 assists, plus Miro Bilan who dropped 20, held the Cedevita vanguard, for as long as they could, since they were completely taken aback in overtime.
It was an up for grabs roller-coaster of a game for 40 minutes, since both teams had lots of ups and downs in their performances. Red Star began the game with an edge of 8 points after the first period, but Cedevita scored in any way imaginable during the next period, finishing the first half with the score being 37 – 43.
The hosts then increased their defensive efforts forcing many turnovers by their opponents and balancing the scales of the game before the fourth quarter. Through Stefan Jovic’s guidance, Zvezda then went ahead of the score, but two downtown buckets in a row by Jacob Pullen, put the guests in the driver’s seat. The two teams remained close until last minute of the regular time when Jovic pulled the floater to tie the match 82 – 82. But then, Miller took over closing the game on a high note for himself and his team.