SLO - Krka keep Olimpija at bay to even finals

NOVO MESTO (Liga Telemach) - Krka beat reigning champions Union Olimpija 74-66 in Game 2 of the Slovenian League finals, evening the best-of-five series at 1-1.

The home side led from start to finish and answered all of Olimpija's big baskets in the second half with some of their own.

Krka led 23-17 at the end of the first quarter and 38-33 at the break. While Olimpija never did lead, they did not trail by more than six points until the game's closing minutes when the outcome was assured.

The visitors tied the score on Saso Ozbolt's three-pointer late in the third period, but the hosts entered the final frame with a 56-54 edge.

Ozbolt struck again midway through the fourth quarter to get his team within one and they were within striking distance again, 65-63, when Vlado Ilievski sank a pair of free-throws with four minutes left to play.

However Krka kept their cool and pulled away as Davor Marcelic hit from long range before Smiljan Pavic scored consecutive baskets and Goran Ikonic secured the final outcome.

Ikonic finished with 19 points and Jure Balazic added 10. Pavic had nine points, 11 rebounds and four assists.

Jure Lalic had a team-best 17 for Olimpija while Ozbolt finished with 13.

Game 3 is on Thursday.

FIBA