BC Adriaoil Skrljevo made it to the Semifinals, after beating Sluneta of Usta nad Labi 85:75 in the return game. IAgreat success for Škrljevo, as it’s the first ever participation on a European competition.

BC Adriaoil Skrljevo vs. Sluneta Usti nad labem
85:75 (28:19, 42:40, 60:57)

Referees: Stankovic, Lenac, Zrnic (all CRO)
Audience: 250.
Venue: Sport hall, Mavrinci (CRO)

Scorers KK Skrljevo: Usic 22, Williams 19, Sarac 9, Barnjak 9, Uljarevic 9, Krstanovic 6, Yacoubou 4, Kucan 3, Stemberger 2, Lebo 2.
Scorers Sluneta Usti nad labem: Martin 13, Pecka 11, Sotnar 11, Houska 10, Wisseh 10, Wallace 8, Steffel 6, Smid 4, Fait 2.

Statistics

The host immediately took the initiative and in the six minutes of game there was a plus of 12 points (19: 7). That part of game belonged to Ušić, who had 11 points in the first ten minutes, and Barnjak who gets a few great layoups. Škrljevo had an advantage of plus twelve 26:14 after eight minutes, it was 28:19 after the first quarter.

The continuation of the match brought a better game for Sluneta, which was on the wings of  Wisseh and Houska. They put the team on their back and reduced the deficite to 42:40 at half time.

The third quarter was marked by Sluneta, which went in 29 minutes for first lead 55:54. Still, Adria Oil Škrljevo came back and and got the 60:57-lead before the final quarter.

The last ten minutes on the parquet were the true battle for passing to the semifinals of Alpe Adria Cup. Brian Williams was unsstopable at that time, Ušić gave some good dunks, and with offensive rebounds the game was decided. Sluneta was on great for 3 – 13/25, but they had 19 turnovers, as Škrljevo had 13 offensive rebounds.

The most effective match player was David Ušić with 22 points and 7 rebounds, Williams with 19. For Sluneta Justin Martin scored 13 (3/4 for three), while Ladislav Pack and Michal Sotnar (3/5 for three) scored 11 points.

Damir Rajkovic, head coach of Skrljevo: “We knew that we have to be agressive, especcialy on their shooting parts. We had problem, after we scored first nine attempts, that every player thought that he has to score next shot. When opponent was in bonus we played stupid, with 3 point shots, not on penetrate and free throws. Semifinals are great, we didnt expect that, we will play that with great joy, but will put all in field. Congratulations to my players who made a big step also for themselves, also I wish to the team of Sluneta all the best in their next games.”

David Ušić, player of Skrljevo: “I felt good today and I showed that on field. It happens to all the atlhletes to fall, but today I got wings and good cooperation from my teammates who helped me a lot. Sluneta is good team, but we were more agreesive and by that they had 19 turnovers, and we had 13 offensive rebounds. I congratulate them for good game and fair basketball fight.”

Antonin Pistecki, head coach of Sluneta: “It is funny how both games are decided in last two minutes, players never gave it up. In first game we had plus 14 in last two minutes and Škrljevo made 13-0, and that is the main reason that they are now in Semifinals. Great two games with the Croatian team, and I wish Škrljevo all the best in semifinals.”

Jaytornah Wisseh, player of Sluneta: “First congratulation to Adria Oilk Škrljevo for semifinals. Cooch told us that we have to reduce turnovers, but when you have 19 turnovers, and when you give opponent so much offensive rebounds you can’t win that game. Maybe at home, but at road trip you can’t get that win like that. They had good pressure and we couldn’t get in the paint, so we didn’t penetrate and then didn’t force free throws.”