ADRIATIC/NLB LEAGUE - Partizan clinch thriller at Cibona

Standings

ZAGREB (Adriatic League) - A lay-up from Milenko Tepic five seconds from time gave Partizan Igokea a 78-77 victory at Cibona in ninth round Adriatic League action.

In a battle of two former European champions, Partizan ousted their hosts in the semi-final of last season`s tournament when winning their first game in Zagreb since 1988, and it looked as if Cibona (5-4) were poised for revenge after entering the final minute with a 76-71 lead.

But rising Serbian star Tepic had other ideas and earned his side their second successive win in the Croatian capital to take their record to 8-1.

"They wanted to defeat us very, very much," said Partizan coach Dusko Vujosevic.

"They even moved this match to Sunday to have one day more for preparation even though they'll have to face Armani Jeans (Milano) in the Euroleague on Wednesday.

"They wanted desperately to defeat Partizan in front of their own fans. But they weren't the only ones that wanted victory."

Vujosevic, whose side has clinched six consecutive Serbian titles, would have had less cause for celebration had it not been American Alfrie Tre Kelley executed better in the final minute.

On one possession, he turned the ball over and an another, he made just one of two at the line, opening the door for Tepic to score the winning points.

Vujosevic added: "Truthfully, we made numerous mistakes. We turned the ball over 19 times, 12 of which came in the first half.

"But we overcame that with good offensive rebounding."

Cibona's Samuel Lonzo Hoskin was the game`s top scorer with 18 points, but Nikola Pekovic (15), Cedomir Vitkovac (14) and Tepic (10) provided firepower the hosts could not match.

"Although, I'm still not completely satisfied with their performance, the guys really did good job," said Vujosevic.

"But they will get better with experience.

"The most important thing for all of us is that Cibona have been defeated in Zagreb."

Partizan's bitter city rivals Red Star were also victorious against a club from Croatian capital as the Red and Whites used Tadija Dragicevic's 26 points to defeat Zagreb 91-83 and remained second with a 7-2 record.

Slovenian side Union Olimpija and Croatians Zadar still share third position after their respective victories.

Olimpija (6-3), fresh off their upset of CSKA Moscow in the Euroleague, outplayed bottom side Siroki Prima Pivo (1-8) 84-78, while Zadar (6-3) easily defeated Geoplin Slovan (3-6) 79-66.

Slovenian champions Helios (2-7) once again disappointed as they lost at home 69-64 against Vojvodina Srbijagas (4-5).

Hemofarm Stada (5-4) defeated FMP (5-4) 81-80 in clash of rising Serbian powerhouses, while Buducnost (4-5) lost at home 77-72 to Split CO (4-5).

Darko Nikolic, Belgrade
FIBA