Crvena Zvezda got a home win and handily defeated KK Mega Mozzart in Game 1 of the Serbian Basketball League semifinals with a final score of 114-78 (33-15, 25-24, 31-17, 25-22).
The entrance to the game was free of charge, since the club decided to take the occasion to celebrate the ABA League title in a full house.
The next game will be played on Sunday, 12 June at 12:00 CEST.
Nikola Ivanovic led the winners in scoring, putting up 25 points (2/5 2PT, 6/9 3 PT 3/3 FT), 6 assists, and 32 PIR.
On the opposing side, Samson Ruzhentsev was the high-scorer for Mega Mozzart, ending with 16 points (5/6 2PT, 2/5 3 PT), and 6 rebounds.
After the close beginning of the game, powered by Nikola Ivanovic and Stefan Markovic, Crvena Zvezda initiated a huge 25-5 run and built a very solid lead (33-15) after the first quarter.
Despite being down by 18 (21-31) at the start of the second quarter, Mega responded with their own 8-0 scoring run and cut the deficit to single digits (33-41) in the middle of the second quarter.
But it was not the end, the ABA champions closed the first half on a 12-2 run to go into the break with a 19-point lead (58-39).
The start of the third period did not predict good trends for visitors as well. Crvena Zvezda opened the second half with couple of three-pointers in a row and their lead grew up to 26 points (73-47). Stefan Markovic made 3 triples in the third quarter alone.
Zvezda didn't give much chance of a coming back to Mega Mozzart and they finished the third quarter having a huge 33-point lead (89-56).
The fourth quarter was just a formality, as the hosts came away with a comfortable victory at home.
Zvezda: Nikola Ivanovic 25 (6 AST, 32 PIR), Ognjen Dobric 16 (7 REB), Stefan Markovic 14 (11 AST), Austin Hollins 14, Branko Lazic 12, Stefan Lazarevic 11.
Mega Mozzart: Samson Ruzhentsev 16 (6 REB), Borisa Simanic 15 (4 REB), Luka Cerovina 13 (4 AST), Matej Rudan 13 (4 REB).
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