SCG - Red Star draw level

BELGRADE (Superleague) - Red Star pulled level with FMP in their play-off semi-final series in Serbia & Montenegro by cruising to an 81-61 home victory in Game Two.

With reigning champions Partizan Belgrade winning their second clash against Buducnost to take a 2-0 series lead, the Red Star-FMP play-off looks set to be the tightest of the two semi-finalas.

FMP had gone 1-0 ahead thanks to a surprise 79-78 away victory in Game One in midweek but they could not repeat the dose in the second match.

Red Star, coached by Dragan Sakota, who will also lead Serbia & Montenegro in the FIBA World Championship in August, were superb in defence, allowing the visitors to score just 16 of their 54 field goals.

Serbia & Montenegro international Milan Gurovic, the league’s leading scorer, was Red Star’s hottest shooter with 17 points, while both Larry O'Bannon and captain Goran Jeretin added 13 more.

Branko Cvetkovic (13 points and four steals) was the only FMP player to get into double figures.

FMP coach Vlada Vukoicic felt his team were lucky to escape an even bigger hiding.

“We made an incredible 21 turnovers, so we were fortunate to lose by just a 20-point deficit,” he said.

“Red Star could have destroyed us if they hadn't missed 16 free throws.

“Now it is our turn to be hosts for two matches. I hope we'll be brave and smart enough in those games.”

Meanwhile, Partizan, chasing a fifth consecutive title, never looked back after building up a 31-13 first-quarter lead as they thrashed Buducnost 96-74 in Game Two.

League MVP Dejan Milojevic was once again the main weapon of the Black and Whites as he finished with 19 points, seven assists and six rebounds.

Three of his team-mates - Kosta Perovic, Vonteego Cummings and Novica Velickovic - scored 12 points each as Partizan added to their 79-63 win in Game One.

Partizan coach Dusko Vujosevic said: “We were good, but not for the whole match.

“Our lacking of concentration in third quarter was something I cannot allow. Our rivals don't deserve to be underestimated.”

Buducnost's top scorer was Marko Pekovic with 17 points.

FMP and Buducnost will host the next two games in each of their best-of-five semi-final series.

PA Sport