Another solid display for Balkan gives the team the win in Skopje

BC Balkan produced another solid display and managed to get its second win in a row in Group D of Delasport Balkan League. The Greens from Botevgrad visited TFT and won 97-82 which keeps them tied for first place with Ironi Nahariya with both sides having 3-1 record. For the Skopje team this loss means that they are now 0-3 and will need to win two out of their three remaining matches to have a chance of advancing to the quarterfinals. Next week TFT will host Maccabi Next Urban Haifa while Balkan will travel to Israel to play Ironi Nahariya on March 31st.

The first quarter was really close as both sides were exchanging baskets and leads. No team was able to take any advantage for a long time so the difference at the end of it was just 2 points in favor of the visiting side. They continued to be up in the second quarter as well with the hosts being close but they didn’t tie the score a single time. Twice they close the gap to just a point but the second time Balkan went on a 13-0 run to take a 14-point advantage and they held on to it after 20 minutes.

In the third quarter the hosts tried to mount a comeback and did managed to cut some of their deficit. Balkan however was doing well in controlling the difference although TFT came as close as 5 points just before the end of the period. Then the visitors hit two free throws to go up by 7 and then in the first minutes of the fourth Balkan restored its double-digit advantage. After that moment the visitors once again started controlling the game and held on until the end for a convincing win.

Six players scored in double figures for the winners with Derrick Marks leading the way with 21 points. Ahmaad Rorie did well by adding 18 points while Christian Jones and Dimitar Dimitrov both had 17 points and 8 rebounds.

The hosts were led by Landrius Horton who had 19 points and 8 rebounds while Michael Nwabuzor scored 14 points.

BOXSCORE