ZAGREB (Adriatic League) – Three-time defending champions Partizan Belgrade beat Hemofarm Stada 72-67 on Friday night to reach the title game of the Adriatic League.

Partizan, who have made a surprising run to the Euroleague Final Four under coach Dusko Vujosevic, went in front to stay with a 12-0 run late in the first half.

Aleksandar Mitrovic poured in eight consecutive points in that spurt, which included burying a couple of three-balls, as the Serbian giants claimed a 38-33 advantage.

Serbia international Stefan Markovic and Slovenia national team forward Goran Jagodnik each drained a pair of free-throws for Hemofarm as they closed the gap to 69-66 with less than two minutes to go.

Markovic and Kyle Hill then had chances to draw the Vrsac club closer when they trailed 71-67 but each missed three-pointers in the final minute.

Partizan, who were led by Lawrence Roberts’ 16 points, will take on the winner of the second semi-final between Adriatic League Final Four hosts Cibona and Union Olimpija.

FIBA