Buducnost Voli secured a convincing victory against Ilirija in Ljubljana, triumphing with a score of 86-66. This win marks a significant boost for the Podgorica team as they prepare for their upcoming Eurocup match against Trento on December 22, 2023. With this victory, Buducnost achieved their seventh win in the ABA League, showcasing strong defensive play throughout the match.
The match unfolded at the Tivoli Sports Hall, where Buducnost controlled the game from the start. The team allowed Ilirija only four points during the first half of the opening quarter, establishing an early lead of 12-4. Following a three-pointer by Ilirija’s Kures, Buducnost responded with a 9-0 run, capped off by a fast break from Đorđije Jovanović, extending their advantage to a maximum of 14 points by the end of the first quarter.
Despite their initial struggles, Ilirija managed to narrow the gap by scoring eight points to Buducnost’s two in the closing minutes of the quarter, ending the period at 23-15. Buducnost’s accuracy from the field proved pivotal, as they shot 12-8 from two-point range and connected on two three-pointers with fewer attempts than Ilirija.
Buducnost maintained a double-digit lead throughout the second quarter, with Zoran Nikolic extending the gap to 25-15 early on. Coach Andrej Zakelj utilized all twelve players on his roster, with only Skylar Mayes failing to score. His strategy paid off as Buducnost built a maximum lead of 17 points before halftime, concluding the first half with a score of 43-29.
In the second half, Buducnost continued to control the pace of the game, even after Ilirija managed to cut the deficit to twelve points at 53-41. A strong third quarter allowed Buducnost to stretch their lead back to 18 points by the end of the period, with a score of 65-47. This momentum was fueled by a scoring run of 14-3, highlighted by a three-pointer from Aksel Butej.
Despite the comfortable lead, Buducnost allowed Ilirija to chip away at the score in the final minutes. The match concluded with Buducnost still enjoying a significant advantage, despite Ilirija’s improved performance in rebounding, ending the game with a final score of 86-66.
In terms of individual performances, Buducnost saw two of their playmakers, Oleksandr Kovlijar and Jogi Ferel, lead the scoring with twelve and eleven points, respectively. Other notable contributors included Djuvan Morgan, Jerry Buttsiel, and Nikola Tanaskovic, each adding nine points. Ilirija’s standout player was Edo Muric, who scored 19 points.
Looking ahead, Buducnost will host Beč in their next ABA League matchup, slated for December 22, 2023. This victory against Ilirija serves as a crucial stepping stone as they gear up for the challenges in the Eurocup.
