Borac Banja Luka started the new ABA 2 League season with a hard-fought victory against Podgorica, winning by just two points — 73:75 (16:24, 22:13, 22:20, 13:18) — in the opening game of the competition’s ninth season.
Tight duel from start to finish
Coach Miodrag Kadija’s team opened the game well, scoring the first two baskets through Danilo Krnić and Danilo Lacmanović for a 4:0 lead. However, the Banja Luka side responded immediately with three-pointers from Tyrone Harris and Srđan Gavrić, and the two teams exchanged leads throughout the first quarter.
Borac went on a 9:0 run, capped off by a dunk from Dušan Tanasković, forcing Kadija to call a timeout. The visitors maintained momentum, and another three-pointer from their American guard gave Borac a 10-point lead (14:24) at the end of the first period.
Podgorica fights back, Borac stays composed
Borac held a double-digit advantage early in the second quarter, but Podgorica — led by Stefan Adžić, who scored 13 points in the period — managed to fight back and take the lead before halftime (38:37).
The third quarter saw a back-and-forth battle until Podgorica edged ahead 60:55 just before the final break.
Dramatic finish in the fourth quarter
In the decisive period, Borac regained control. After a Tanasković dunk, the visitors led 68:64. Podgorica responded with a three-pointer from Petar Minić (67:68), but Borac struck back with long-range shots from Gavrić and Dušan Makitan, extending the lead to 67:74 with just over three minutes left.
Podgorica still made it interesting. At 71:74, Danilo Ivanović missed two crucial free throws, while Minić later hit one of two to make it 73:74. In the closing seconds, Harris grabbed an offensive rebound, was fouled, and made one free throw to set the final score at 73:75. The home team failed to convert their last possession, sealing Borac’s narrow win.
Next game
Borac Banja Luka will play their next ABA 2 League match on October 22, when they host Helios at the Borik Sports Hall in Banja Luka.
Source: Atv
