Rabotnicki overcame Rilski Sportist in Skopje

Rabotnicki got off to a tremendous start in the Eurohold Balkan League second season. Marin Dokuzovski`s side won their season opener against Rilski Sportist Samokov 80:76 in Gradski Park in Skopje.
 
Rabotnicki`s roster has only 5 players with pro experience, while the others are young boys from the junior teams of the clubs, but as we see, that wasn`t a problem.
 
Rabotnicki had a great first half, especially Gjorgji Cekovski, as the former Lukoil Academic forward nailed 21 points in just 20 minutes, so his side could be leading at the break - 45:38.
 
In the third period Rabotnicki got to lead by even bigger margin, as Dimitar Mirakovski scored 7 points in a row, to make the score 54:46 at the 24th minute of the game. Rilski Sportist managed to get back, after Mirakovski fell in foul trouble, and were down only 53:57 in the 29th minute.
 
The last quarter started with a three-pointer by Aleksandar Dimitrovski, which made Rabotnicki`s lead in double digits - 65:55. Rilski showed what they can do, as they tied the score at 71 a piece with 4 minutes to go, and they even took the lead 71:73 after a basket by Aleksandar Ugrinoski. Cekovski made an and one play for 76:73, but Bogdan Boev quickly answered with a three pointer (76:76). Aleksandar Dimitrovski scored a trey with 54 seconds to go, giving his team the lead, and after that with 14 seconds on the clock he blocked Ugrinoski`s shot, and in the last possesion, Cekovski sealed the win by scoring a free-throw.
 
Gjorgji Cekovski was the man of the match, scoring 25 points, along with 8 rebounds and 6 assists. Aleksandar Dimitrovski had a great game with 20 points, as he dropped 6 long range bombs (6/11 for 3 points), and finally, Darko Sokolov added 13 points, 3 rebounds and 7 assists for his side. Dimitar Mirakovski finished with 12 points and 5 rebounds.
 
For Rilski Sportist "the usual suspect" - Travis Peterson was on top of his game. Last season`s BIBL MVP scored 17 points and added 7 rebounds and 3 assists. Bogdan Boev, David Burgess and Georgi Davidov combined for 30 points, as each one of them scored 10, and Aleksandar Ugrinoski had 6 points and 5 assists.