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MVP Matjaz Smodis takes the Kresimir Cosic Cup trophy from Zagreb major Milan Bandic (photo: www.kkcedevita.hr)

Led by Slovenian international Matjaz Smodis’ 27-point MVP performance Cedevita Zagreb was able to edge Zagreb CO by 72:74 in front of their crowd, and win the first major trophy in team’s history.

Both Croatian representatives in 2011-12 Eurocup lost their respective games yesterday. Cibona lost to BC Donetsk by 76:78 and Cedevita lost to Benetton Treviso by 68:82.

Cibona managed to stay close during the complete course of the game. With the score 76:78 in the closing seconds Antwain Barbour passed the ball to the cutting PG Hrvoje Kovacevic but his left-handed shot from the paint at the buzzer came up short.

Although Cibona was again paced by the frontocurt duet of PF Goran Suton (13 points, 6 boards) and Andrija Zizic (16 points, 12 boards) it was outrebounded by 36:31 and shot only 39% for two points.

After trailing as much as 26:7 after 1st quarter Cedevita was again beaten by Benetton Treviso, this time even more convincingly. SG Chris Warren paced Cedevita’s offense  with 14 points and 5 boards while receiving 7 personal fouls.

Cedevita’s PG Dontaye Draper had trouble dealing with future NBA-er E’Twaun Moore who had 17 points on 7-9 shooting from the floor. Draper also finished with 17 points but had only 2 assists and 4 turnovers for the visiting team.

Drazen Anzulovic coached his team to a convincing win over the local rival (photo by kkcedevita.hr)

Game between local rivals Cedevita and Cibona really was no contest from the beginning.

Cedevita won the game by 95:69 in a convincing fashion. All twelve of it’s players scored, five in double digits and all but one of it’s players got at least one rebound!

With obvious intention to save strenght for the upcoming Eurocup match-up vs Benetton Treviso Cedevita’s head coach Drazen Anzulovic rotated all of his players to the maximum while keeping his team’s pace at the very high level throughout the complete game.

Cedevita’s intensive defense neutralized Cibona’s primary offensive options who were able to score mainly on 1-on-1 isolation plays. PF/C Andrija Zizic had 15 points and 5 boards, PF Goran Suton had 10 rebounds, 7 boards and 2 blocked shots, while PG Davor Kus added 11 points and 4 assists.

Cedevita shot 12-27 (44.4%) from beyond the arc while Cibona was 3-15 (20%) in the same segment.

Dontaye Draper vs E’twaun Moore: Moore had the last laugh – Benetton won 86-87 (OT)
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Chris Owens shoots from the right wing: he had 8 pts+7reb, 3 of those in emphatic fashion
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Miro Bilan was Cedevita’s best player: he scored at will and finished with 19 pts+11reb
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Jeff Adrien vs Miro Bilan: ex-UConn star had 13pts+10reb…came up big in the clutch
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Bagaric returns to Zagreb (photo by kkcedevita.hr)

Cedevita Zagreb has signed 31-year journeyman C Dalibor Bagaric. Bagaric, who should add much needed experience and size into Cedevita’s frontcourt unit, will be on coach Anzulovic’s disposal for Saturday’s AL game @ Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Independent basketball analyst close to CroHoops.com has marked this transaction with B- with the following explanation: “Bagaric size and experience are legit, but it’s relatively uncertain how will he fit into coach’s Anzulovic system. Also keep in mind that Cedevita’s major counterpart Zagreb CO has a very potent and dynamic frontline (Kasun, Heytvelt, May).”

Dontaye Draper, last season’s Eurocup MVP was just too much for Elan Chalon

After the tight battle throughout the first three quarters Cedevita Zagreb was able to reach double digit lead and win it’s Eurocup qualifications rematch vs Elan Chalon (France) by 84:69. Elan won the first game in Chalon by 78:73 so Cedevita had to win this game with no less than 6 points to advance through.

On it’s way to an very important victory coach Anzulovic’s squad demonstrated solid level of team defence, won the battle of the boards (41:26) and was able to break Chalon’s wholecourt press.

Croatian NT point guard Dontaye Draper paced Cedevita with 18 points and 10 assists to go along with 5 rebounds and 4 steals. G/F Mario Bazdaric added 12 points and 7 rebounds.

Cedevita's head coach Drazen Anzulovic (photo by kkcedevita.hr)

Thanks to the play of it’s newly acquired PF Chris Owens (17 points, 8 rebounds, 2 blocked shots) who scored 12 points in his team’s 19-4 rally late in the game, Cedevita lost the first game of it’s Eurocup qualifications vs Chalon (France) by 78:73 and has kept alive it’s hope for Eurocup berth.

Rematch will be played on October 4th in Zagreb.