SC Derbi Secures Crucial Victory Against Split Despite Injuries

SC Derbi achieved a vital victory against Split, marking their first win of the season, including qualification matches for the FIBA Champions League. Playing without key starters, Darius Johnson and Justin Turner, who are sidelined with injuries, the team showcased resilience and determination throughout the match.

The game saw SC Derbi lead for nearly the entire duration, establishing a significant advantage early on. They dominated the first quarter with a score of 26:15 and held leads of up to 17 points during the third quarter. Despite some setbacks in the second quarter, where the teams went into halftime tied at 45:45, SC Derbi managed to fend off a late surge from Split. They faced a tense moment when Split reduced their lead to four points at 76:72, and later at 81:77, but ultimately secured the win.

Coach Highlights Psychological Impact of the Win

Petar Mijovic, the head coach of SC Derbi, emphasized the importance of this victory, particularly after two previous losses in similar situations. He remarked, “This was an exceptionally hard-fought win. We had moments of excellent play, reaching a 17-point lead on three occasions. However, we also experienced inexplicable lapses that stemmed from defensive softness and errors in adapting to our opponent’s increased aggression.”

Statistically, the team improved their performance compared to the first two matches in the ABA League. They shot 62.9% from the field and 87.5% from the free-throw line, securing four more rebounds with a total of 32, as well as achieving 21 assists compared to just 13 and 15 in their previous games against Borac and FMP.

Mijovic acknowledged the psychological significance of the victory, stating, “We are genuinely facing challenges. I don’t think there’s a team that can perform well without two primary playmakers, especially with our starters out.”

Injury Concerns Loom Over the Celebration

While the victory brought joy to the Podgorica team, it was overshadowed by the injury of Amar Gegic, who left the court less than four minutes before the game ended. Gegic had an impressive performance, scoring 20 points, along with six assists and five rebounds. Mijovic expressed concern, saying, “It doesn’t look good. We will see what further analysis reveals.”

SC Derbi’s next challenge will come on October 26, 2023, when they host Igokea, looking to build on this crucial win while addressing their injury issues. The team’s ability to sustain momentum will be tested as they aim to secure their position in the league moving forward.