Rilski Sportist undefeated after great spectacle with Peja

BC Rilski Sportist continues without a defeat in group A of EUROHOLD Balkan League. At home the team played KB Peja and won 105-97 in overtime. Both teams performed very well and put on a great show for the fans. The game was very very exciting and offered everybody great entertainment. In the end Rilski had more in the tank and managed to take the victory. Now the team from Samokov is leading with 3-0 record while Peja is with 2-2.

Both teams exchanged baskets at the start before Peja made a 10-0 run to take 8-point lead. Until the end of the quarter the team kept the advantage that became 11 at the start of the second. Few minutes later Rilski cut the deficit to just 4 but Peja responded immediately with 7-0 to retake its double digit advantage. Rilski however managed to again cut its gap, this time to just 3 points and the team missed a few chances to tie. Then they exchanged baskets before Gerti Shima scored an amazing buzzer butter from the 3-point line in Peja′s own half for a 6 points lead.

With four and a half minutes played after the break the hosts finally tied the score. Then they even went up by 5 points but Peja quickly bounced back. However after some baskets from both sides Rilski managed to lead by 2 points before the final ten minutes. With the score tied at 66 the hosts scored three straight triples for 9-2 run which put them ahead. Samir Shaptahovic however wasn′t giving up and he inspired his team to 8 straight points and new lead. Bozov′s triple with 1.30 to go put Rilski ahead by 2 but the visitors tied it with 55 seconds to play. Taylor then made a great alley oop for the home team but Shaptahovic responded with triple to give lead for Peja. Then Norfleet was fouled and scored two free throws and Alban Veseli missed a triple. Then Taylor stepped on the line for another two free throws but he made only one. There was enough time for Shaptahovic to tie the score and after Zlatin Georgiev missed a triple we went to overtime.

In the extra period a decisive 12-0 run sparked by Zlatin Georgiev gave the hosts an 11-point advantage and it was enough. Before that the teams exchanged few baskets but the run started with 2.30 to play and then there was no comeback for the visitors.

Yordan Bozov was the top scorer with 21 points while Julian Norfleet added 20.

For the visitors an incredible game had Samir Shaptahovic with 38 points as Gerti Shima added 15 and 9 rebounds.

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FULL STATS FROM THE GAME BC RILSKI SPORTIST - KB PEJA