By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Building on a fast start and retaining a commanding lead over most of the 40 minutes, Crvena Zvezda mts routed Partizan Nis, 85-68, in the Serbian Cup final held at the Cair Sports Center of Nis Sunday night.
Nikola Kalinic recorded a team-high 18 points, four assists, and three rebounds wrapping up the Triglav osiguranje Radivoj Korac Cup Final Eight. Austin Hollins threw in 15 points, Nate Wolters had 14 points, and Stefan Markovic added 13 points.
The defending champions, led by Montenegrin play-caller Dejan Radonjic, rushed to a 10-0 advantage and quickly moved into an even safer distance. The Red-Whites clinched their eighth domestic cup tying the Belgrade rival on top of the list of teams with the most triumphs in the competition.
Both Alen Smailagic and Yam Madar were ruled out for the team coached by legendary head coach Zeljko Obradovic. Mathias Lessort scored a game-high 19 points in the losing effort against his former team.
The winning side had eliminated SPD Radnicki and Mega Mozzart on the way to the winner-take-all collision with Partizan. Meanwhile, Partizan went past Borac Zemun and FMP Meridian.
Moving forward and looking to improve on the current 9-14 W-L tally in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, Crvena Zvezda is scheduled to visit Panathinaikos OPAP and host Fenerbahce Beko Friday and Sunday, respectively.
The next derby between the Belgrade giants is set on March 5, in AdmiralBet ABA League Regular Season Round 25, which will be the next game for Partizan. Radonjic’s side leads the standings at 17-1 with Obradovic’s side sitting in second place at 16-3.
Photo Credit: EuroLeagueBasketball.net