DUBAI: Dubai Basketball got back on the winning trail again in Europe’s ABA League following a dominant 87-74 victory over Serbia’s Borac Mozzart on Sunday night.
The win was marked by a powerful defensive performance that restricted the home team’s captain, Marko Josilo, to only six points across 34 minutes of play.
Dubai Basketball went into the round-four game in Cacak looking to bounce back from last week’s last-gasp defeat against Mega MIS — and they responded with an impressive performance to take their record to 3-1.
Danilo Andusic set the pace all night long for Dubai, with 16 points, while Ahmet Duverioglu had a game-high seven rebounds.
With Borac Mozzart focusing heavily on Dubai’s captain, Klemen Prepelic, they had no answer for Isaiah Taylor, whose 13 points, three rebounds and six assists proved decisive in handing the Serbian team their first home loss of the season.
By the end of the first quarter, Dubai held a narrow lead of 24-23. The hosts levelled the scores early in the second, but head coach Jurica Golemac’s side took it up a gear with captain Prepelic dropping a three-pointer when his team needed him most.
Nate Mason, who missed the last game due to an injury, added another two, but some strong play saw Borac Mozzart take a 33-29 lead.
Dubai’s Awudu Abass and Andusic then stepped up with crucial points including a three-pointer to turn the momentum and give their team a healthy 47-36 advantage at halftime.
By the end of the third quarter, Dubai had stretched their lead to 71-63, and in the last 10 minutes they held off Borac Mozzart to close out for a key win on the road.
The home fans gave the game a special atmosphere with their boisterous support of their team at the Cacak Sports Hall.
Dubai’s Jacorey Williams commented post-game: “It was loud, the fans here are great and they’re passionate; they let us know all night that there would be no easy points.
“It was great to leave with a big team win, but shout-out to the fans, Cacak Sports Hall is one of the toughest places to play.”
Dubai Basketball’s next game will be on Sunday, Oct. 20 when they take on Spartak Subotica at Coca-Cola Arena.
