CRO - Zagreb get one back over Cibona to reclaim cup

ZAGREB (Kresimir Cosic Cup) - KK Zagreb got the better of Cibona 81-74 to reclaim the Kresimir Cosic Cup from their bitter rivals.

The two teams have now met in the final of this tournament in each of the last three years, with Zagreb winning in 2008 and 2010 and Cibona prevailing last year.

Luka Zoric earned Most Valuable Player honours after leading the way with 24 points while Damir Mulaomerovic added 20 to go along with six assists in the winning cause. Bojan Bogdanovic and Jamont Gordon had 17 each for Cibona.

Zagreb led 24-21 at the end of the first quarter before Cibona used an 11-2 spurt to take a 40-36 lead at the break.

Denis Bajramovic's side were being severely out-rebounded - 42-24 for the game - but somehow managed to get within one, 56-55, heading into the final frame.

Mulaomerovic edged Zagreb in front 73-67 but Cibona were back within striking distance as Dalibor Bagaric made a pair of free-throws with about a minute to go, making it a 76-74 game.

Mulaomerovic re-established Zagreb's four-point cushion and Cibona just couldn't buy a three-pointer as they tried to close the gap down the stretch.

In the semi-finals, Cibona needed overtime to see off KK Zadar 81-71.

Gordon had an impressive all-around game, scoring a game-high 26 points to go along with 11 rebounds, five assists, four steals as well as a few spectacular slam dunks and blocks. He was well seconded by Marko Tomas who had 22.

Rok Stipcevic paced Zadar with 19 points, hitting on five of eight three-point attempts.

Cibona led 27-20 in a low-scoring first half before Zadar made a move in the third quarter and there wasn't much between the two teams in the final period.

The game headed into overtime where it became a one-sided affair, with Velimir Persavovic's charges outscoring their opponents 21-11 to book their place in the final.

Zoric and Mulaomerovic combined for 42 points as Zagreb used a pivotal third quarter to create some distance between themselves and KK Cedevita for an 80-73 win.

The game was tied at 36 after two quarters and the hosts then outscored their opponents 24-17 to take the upper hand heading into the final quarter, where they held on until the final buzzer.

Zoric had a double-double of 23 points and 10 rebounds while Mulaomerovic finished with 19 and dished out seven assists.

Jermaine Anderson had 17 points for Cedevita but was their only player to score in double-figures.

FIBA