Partizan lose ABA SuperCup final in last seconds against SC Derby / News - Basketnews.com

Kevin Punter scored 23 points (4/6 3PT, 27 EFF), but Partizan suffered an unexpected 81-83 defeat in the ABA SuperCup final against SC Derby, thanks to Borna Kapusta's game-winner with 4.6 seconds left.

Credit: Partizan Mozzart Bet/Dragana Stjepanovic Credit Partizan Mozzart Bet/Dragana Stjepanovic

Partizan MozzartBet Belgrade had the first title of the season in their hands, but then SC Derby (also known asKK Studentski centar) made a miracle, upsetting the Serbian powerhouse.

Zeljko Obradovic's squad lost the ABA SuperCup final 81-83 (22-25, 18-17, 26-21, 15-20) in Podgorica, Montenegro.

With 2:51 left, Partizan held a comfortable 7-point lead (74-81), but Derby managed to organize an incredible comeback.

Aubrey Dawkins scored 4 points in a row, Kenan Kamenjas added a layup, and with 35 seconds to go, the teams were separated by only 1 point (80-81).

Obradovic took a timeout, but P.J. Dozier missed a 3-pointer while Borna Kapusta sank his 3-pointer at the other end, and Derby took a 2-point lead (83-81).

Partizan had another timeout, but Frank Kaminsky's shot went off the mark, and Derby became the ABA SuperCup champions.

Dawkins led the way for Derby, finishing the game with 18 points (6/8 2PT, 1/6 3PT, 3/3 FT), 1 rebound, and 9 EFF.

Kamenjas added 14 points (5/8 2PT, 4/4 FT), 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 22 EFF.

On the losing end, Punter finished the game with 23 points (4/5 2PT, 4/6 3PT, 3/4 FT), 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 5 drawn fouls, and 27 EFF.

Last season, Derby finished in 8th place in the ABA League and was eliminated by Partizan in the first playoff round. Partizan won the series 2-1 after losing Game 1 in Belgrade.

It's the first major trophy for Derby. In the 2022-23 campaign, the club reached the Montenegrin League final but lost the series 0-3 against Buducnost VOLI.

Prior to that, Derby became the ABA League Second Division champions in the 2020-21 campaign.

Partizan: Kevin Punter 23 (4/5 2PT, 4/6 3PT, 27 EFF), Zach LeDay 13 (1/5 3PT), James Nunnally 11 (4/5 2PT, 1/6 3PT), P.J. Dozier 11 (2/6 3PT).

Derby: Aubrey Dawkins 18 (6/8 2PT, 1/6 3PT), Kenan Kamenjas 14 (5/8 2PT, 8 REB, 22 EFF), Luka Bogavac 11, Borna Kapusta 10 (3/6 3PT).

Thank you for reading us! We have even more content for you.