Mega defeat Zvezda and force decisive Game 3 / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Dainius Lukšta Credit Dainius Lukšta

KK Mega Basket came back from a 15-point deficit to take down Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade 77-70 (12-22, 14-16, 28-15, 23-17) in Game 2 of the Serbian League semis. They leveled the best-of-three series at one win apiece.

3-pointers this season

33%7,1Points made:7,1Accuracy:32,6%Place in standings:17Record max:14Record min:3Most made 3FGs:Ognjen DobricTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

The winner of the pair will meet FMP Beograd in the finals, which automatically got a place in the ultimate stage of the competition due to Partizan's withdrawal.

Even though Zvezda started the game strongly and ran away from their opponents in the mid-first quarter 20-6, Mega did not lose hope and came back within the fighting distance after halftime.

They were melting their double-digit deficit step by step and had plus one (54-53) before the last 10 minutes of the match. The last tally went neck-on-neck but Mega's 7-1 mini spurt (75-70) with 2 minutes to go paved the way to a crucial victory.

Matej Rudan posted a huge double-double for the winners, finishing the duel with 18 points (8/11 2PT, 0/4 3PT, 2/3 FT), 18 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 turnovers, 2 steals, and 32 PIR.

Samson Ruzhentsev added 23 points (4/7 2PT, 3/6 3PT, 6/7 FT), 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 turnovers, 1 steal, and 25 PIR.

It was the 450th game on the Crvena Zvezda bench for Dejan Radonjic. He coached the team from 2013 to 2017 and started his second stint with Zvezda in 2020.

This season Radonjic has already navigated the red and white squad to the Serbian Cup and ABA League titles.

Mega Basket: Samson Ruzhentsev 23 (6 REB), Matej Rudan 18 (18 REB), Aleksa Uskokovic 14 (8 REB, 5 AST), Luka Cerovina 12.

Crvena Zvezda: Luka Mitrovic 16 (9 REB), Ognjen Dobric 15, Austin Hollins 9, Nikola Ivanovic 9 (8 AST).

Like what we are doing? You can express your gratitude here.