Axel Bouteille and Nikola Tanaskovic stood out for Buducnost, combining for 42 points
Buducnost rides second-half momentum to victory over Lietkabelis
Informes de partidos
3 Min lectura
Regular Season
Round 14 of 18
Regular Season
group b
Buducnost VOLI PodgoricaBUD
9581
Lietkabelis PanevezysLIE
group b
Overview
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Buducnost VOLI Podgorica stayed on course in the Group B playoff race with a 95-81 home win over Lietkabelis Panevezys on Wednesday night, moving to 9-5 in the standings.
Back on its home floor, Buducnost continued its strong home form at Moraca Sports Center, where it has lost just once this season, and pulled away in the second half behind improved perimeter shooting and defensive intensity.
Axel Bouteille and Nikola Tanaskovic were the driving forces for Buducnost, both reaching double figures early and energizing the offense. The duo made 8 of Buducnost’s 12 three-pointers, giving the home side a lift from beyond the arc, with Bouteille finishing with 22 points and Tanaskovic adding 20.
‘‘The second half was better,’’ said Bouteille after the game. ‘‘I think we played better on defense. I think offensively sometimes we were a little bit too static, and as soon as we moved the ball, we were better. We have some good shots, we make them, and defense was better. So, I think I was satisfied with this one.’’
Buducnost came out of the locker room with renewed energy. The turning point came in the third quarter, with the hosts trailing by 8 before Tanaskovic and Rasheed Sulaimon knocked down back-to-back threes to close the gap.
From that moment, Buducnost seized the momentum, improving its one-on-one defense and asserting control over the game. Buducnost closed the fourth quarter with a 13-2 run to secure the win.
‘‘I think that first half we were far from the freshness, the desire, the energy that we want, especially defensively, and we got too many points,’’ said coach Andrej Zakelj, reflecting on the game. ‘‘I think in the second half, they scored 30 points, so when we got the rebounds... and that's it, there is no big philosophy. If you fight, if you play defense, if you rebound, if you're tough, then you can play against everybody.’’
Buducnost’s second-half perimeter shooting proved decisive. After hitting just 2 of 9 from three in the first half, the hosts connected on 10 triples after the break, finishing at 42.9%.
Yogi Ferrell was another key figure for Buducnost, posting a double-double with 10 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists while keeping the offense flowing. Rasheed Sulaimon also carried a significant scoring load, contributing 17 points.
Lietkabelis, aware of the narrow margin for error, pushed hard but couldn’t turn its effort into a road win. Fardaws Aimaq made his presence felt in the paint, finishing with 19 points.
‘‘I don't think that we deserve to lose by 14,’ ’said Nenad Canak in the press conference. ‘‘It was a tight game like 36-37 minutes. Second half was decisive, it's obvious, because Buducnost made 10 threes in the second half and we shot 1 from 12 … I think that we played good basketball like 36-37 minutes and we will try to continue on that way.’’
Next up, Buducnost will face a demanding road test against Besiktas GAIN, who remain unbeaten at home this season. Lietkabelis, meanwhile, returns home to host Dolomita Energia Trento.
