Rilski defeated OKK and moved on to the quarterfinals

BC Rilski Sportist defeated OKK Beograd at home in Samokov - 87:70 and moved on to the quarterfinals of the EUROHOLD Balkan League. Riletso needed a win to qualify to the next stage, and after a strong performance in front of their home fans they did just that.
 
The home team got off to a great start, as they quickly scored  eight unanswered points, as they led 8:0 with just 2.25 played in the first quarter. Mirko Kovac scored the first basket for OKK, decreasing the difference to six points - 8:2. Riletso went on a 4-0 run, as after a basket by Sasa Mijajlovic they had their first double-digit lead - 12:2 with 5.57 to go. OKK decreased the difference to 12:6, but Rilski quickly scored 5 points, leading 17:6 with 2.39 to go. Until the end of the first period Rilski scored just 2 points, against 6 for OKK, and the score was 19:12 at the end of the first period.
 
Rilski quickly got back to their double-digit lead, as they were ahead 26:15 with 7.19 to go, before Stanoje Knezevic decreased the lead to nine points - 26:17, and Rosen Barchovski took a time-out. Rilski extended their lead to 31:18, after a fast break finished by Stanislav Vaklinov, as there were less than six minutes remaining. OKK Beograd scored six straight points, cutting the deficit to 7 - 31:24 with 3.30 left. Lubomir Kirov and Nemanja Bezbradica traded baskets for 33:26 with 1.51 remaining. At halftime Rilski Sportist held a 11-point lead - 38:27.
 
Riletso started the second half with a 5:2 run early in the second half, increasing their lead to 14 points - 43:29. Rilski scored seven points in the next minutes against just two for OKK and had a game-high lead - 50:31 with 5.53 left, but OKK quickly decreased it to 15 (50:35). The home team kept the lead, as they were up by 18 - 55:37 with less than 4 minutes to go. Riletso continued to cruise, increasing their lead to 18 points - 60:42 after strong minutes by Hristo Zahariev. After 30 minutes the home team held a 63:49 lead.
 
OKK Beograd started the last period with a 8-3 run, and after a basket by Milos Suzic for 66:57, Rosen Barchovski was forced to take a time-out with 7.08 remaining in the third period. Rilski increased their lead back to double digits - 75:61 with 5.12 to go, which forced Vlado Djurovic to take a time-out. Rilski extended their lead to 80:64 with 3.36 to go, as the quarterfinals were looking closer than ever. The final score was settled at 87:70.
 
Martin Marinov led Rilski with 17 points, coming off the bench. Branko Mirkovic added 16 points and 5 assists, while Sasa Mijajlovic had 15 points and 9 rebounds against his former club. Asen Velikov and Hristo Zahariev scored 12 points each, as Zahariev had 5 assists.
 
Milos Suzic scored 14 points for OKK Beograd, while Stanoje Knezevic added 10 points and 6 rebounds. Luka Maksimovic had 9 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists.