ADRIATIC/NLB LEAGUE - Winning weekend for Slovenian teams

DOMŽALE (Adriatic League) - Helios Domžale, Geoplin Slovan and Union Olimpija all tasted victory on a successful weekend for Slovenian clubs in the Adriatic League.

Entering the game with just two wins in their first 11 games, Helios brushed aside second-placed Red Star Belgrade 85-67.

Croatian Robert Troha led five Helios players in double figures with 18 points.

The biggest stir of the weekend was caused by Slovan's new star, journeyman pro DeMarco Johnson.

The 6ft 9in power forward only just arrived at the club and had 21 points and 10 rebounds in Slovan's 85-81 triumph over Cibona.

Aleksander Sekulic, the Slovan coach, said: "DeMarco Johnson is a great reinforcement for our team - on defense and offense."

Johnson's new teammate Enique Clemons is excited by his arrival.

"We got a very good new player," he said. "We are better in rebounding with DeMarco and that is vital.

"Against Cibona, we fought like a real team. Everybody knew what his task is."

The win was only Slovan's fourth of the season.

Johnson said: "We have a very young team, but we are trying to get better in every game.

"We can do big things if we continue playing like this. Young players are getting the necessary experience and I am sure we will (do big things)."

Olimpija Ljubljana got 26 points from Bosnia-Herzegovina international Jasmin Hukic and snapped a five-game losing streak in all competitions with a 98-85 victory at Zagreb.

The success improved Memi Becirovic's team to 7-5, leaving them fifth in the standings.

"After losing five times in a row, this victory means a lot to us," said Becirovic, the Union Olimpija coach.

"It wasn't easy living and training in Ljubljana while we were playing so badly.

"This pressure was also visible in the beginning of the game in Zagreb."

Becirovic's team trailed 33-26 at the end of the first quarter and were behind by one at half-time.

"Luckily we came back into the game in the second half and won," the coach said.

"This victory is very important for us."

Becirovic also explained why he did not play American forward Ronell Taylor.

"Why didn't I play Ronell Taylor?" he said.

"His task is to play good defense, but in the last few games, he wasn't even trying to do that. That is the only reason he didn't play against Zagreb. I would like to thank the home team for a fair game."

In other games, leaders Partizan bounced back from their Euroleague defeat at Brose Baskets Bamberg to win over Široki 81-71 and stretch their lead at the top two games after Red Star's defeat.

Third-top Zadar won 78-65 over Hemofarm to go level on record with Red Star at 9-3.

In other games, Vojvodina prevailed 75-65 over Split and Buducnost won on the road at FMP 79-76.

FIBA