KK Zagreb cruise to a 86-74 win over Brose Baskets - Euroleague Recap
KK Zagreb started their Euroleague dismally with four straight losses; however with time they have improved.
After overpowering Zalgiris Kaunas last week, they collected their second win by thrashing Brose Baskets 86-74 to improve their record to 2-4 and hence keep their chances of reaching the top 16 alive.
It was a memorable game for Josh Heytvelt as he scored his career high points, rebounds and three-pointers all in one game. He was easily the player of the game and overshadowed other impressive performances from both teams.
Josh finished the night with 25 points including 7 three pointers 12 rebounds. Thrilled with his performance he added after the game;
"It was just a good second half. Guys were finding me and I was knocking down shots. That is what they have me here to do, and it finally came today. There are just times when you get in the zone, and you are lucky enough to get
the ball. T.J and the guys did a great job at getting me the ball”
Other players from Zagreb also performed outstandingly well. Krunoslav Simon and Mario Kasun both completed a double-double, scoring 16 points, 12 rebounds and 15 points, 11 rebounds respectively.
From Brose Baskets, Casey Jacobson scored 19 points including 4 for 8 shooting from the three-point range whereas Anton Gavel and Marcus Slaughter both canned 16 points each.
Mario opened the scoring for his side with a powerful dunk but was countered with an equally robust dunk almost immediately from Marcus to make it 2-2. Mario then struck twice to make it 6-2 in the favour of Zagreb and was followed
up with his team-mates to get Zagreb ahead by 20-12 in the 8th minute. Brose were up to the task though and reeled off an 8-1 run to end the quarter, trailing by only one at 21-20.
The next quarter was pretty intense and the lead shifted from one side to the other on three instances. Zagreb scored quickly in the last few minutes to get ahead 36-32 but Damir Mulaomerovic’s layup followed by two free throws
by Anton ensured Brose finished the first half, trailing behind only by 2 points, 36-34.
Brose then dominated the first 5 minutes of third frame and came back from behind to acquire a healthy lead of 48-42.
This was where Heytvelt came into action and spoiled their party by hitting consecutive three pointers. The Croatians hung tough in the ensuing passage and just before the buzzer, Sean Gregory May drilled a three to ensure that
Zagreb entered the last frame leading by 62-58.
Brose responded quickly and eliminated the deficit at 62 within the first three minutes of the fourth.
However after that it was all about Zagreb. The Croatians set the court alight with an 11 point unanswered run to pull away and never looked back from there on in. Ante Masic drilled a three just before the buzzer to put an emphatic
end to the night.
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