The champions survived in Cetinje

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Rilski Sportist took an important victory as a guest over Montenegrin Lovcen  with 83:80 in the EUROHOLD Balkan League. For the current league champion, this was the first success as a guest and align record to two wins and two losses. American guard Lamont Jones who joined the team until yesterday afternoon, made a very successful debut under the direction of Alexander Todorov. The veteran had a major contribution to the dramatic victory, achieved only at the end of the meeting in Cetinje.

The first period ended 27-23 for Lovcen, and three minutes before its end Lamont Jones appeared for the first time on the field,  replacing Alexander Ugrinoski. Second quarter passed with  pressure on Rilski side and after strong performances of Travis Peterson and Bogdan Boev, visitors took the lead two minutes before halftime - 41:43. Before the break the score was 42:46. In the second half  Rilski Sportist managed to pull six points difference - 50:56, before the young Montenegrin players not only to equaled the score, but to took the lead. Travis Peterson made a three-pointer, but in the last three minutes of the period Rilski Sportist failed to score again. After 11-0 run, Montenegrin side withdrew after 30 minutes on the court with an advance of nine points - 71:62. After the start of the last quarter  “Riletso” scored seven unanswered points to return the intrigue from the outset. However, guests were catching-up with 3-5 points and only three minutes before the final time, Georgi Davidov made a lay-up for  77-77. In the last 17 seconds Lamont Jones was fouled, and scored  two free-throws for 77:79. In the last seconds  Nikola Lalic and Dragan Kandic missed free-throws, but Simeon Naydenov was more accurate than them and made all of his four attempts from the penalty line to form the final 80:83.

Last season EUROHOLD Balkan League MVP Travis Peterson nailed 21 points and 9 rebounds, while Bogdan Boev added 14 points for the success. The new signing Lamont Jones finished with 13 points and 5 assists. Nikola Ivanovic was the best scorer on the field with 23 points, but it is not enough for his team.