Krka Novo Mesto wins Slovenian SuperCup

Krka Novo MestoKrka Novo Mesto won the coveted pre-season Slovenian SuperCup with a victory over rivals Union Olimpija Ljubljana 68-65 in the town of Sencur. It was the fourth time that the club has won the trophy that pits the previous season’s league and cup winners together. In this case Krka Novo Mesto is holder of both the Slovenian league and cup, so clashed with the second placed team in both competitions from last term.

Krka Novo Mesto vs. Union Olumpija Ljubljana, 68-65
This tight game between two evenly matched teams started with tentative Basketball as both sets of players got a feel for the hardwood. These teams will be fighting it out through the campaign as close rivals, but neither wanted to make the first move here. An edgy first quarter ended at the split buzzer with Krka commanding a narrow 17-15 lead. The game opened slightly in the second frame as spaces began to open up at the perimeters, although the space did not always end in buckets as the scoring was not explosive. The Novo Mesto club did manage to extend its lead through the second stanza though, taking the period 19-17 to lead 36-32 at the long break.

Krka had opened a four point cushion after 20 minutes on the deck, but Union Olimpija proved a consistent scoring threat throughout the game. In the third period the Ljubljana club found a good balance between defence and attack to outpace Krka Novo Mesto 11-17 through the quarter. It was a run that was enough to give the team its first buzzer lead with the scoreboard reading 47-49 after thirty minutes. Olimpija continued to ascend during the fourth, at one point opening to a 47-57 lead, but Krka responded and stopped their opponents scoring for nearly four minutes of the game. With the minutes winding down the double champs from last season re-took the lead and held on for the SuperCup winning victory.

Malcolm Armstead came from the bench to pace Krka with 23 points and received the game’s MVP for his efforts. Jasmin Hukic followed with 12 points for Novo Mesto.

Gregor Hrovat helped the losing effort with 15 points, but he was arguably overshadowed in the Olimpija roster by Dino Muric with a 14 points and 12 rebounds double-double.

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