Dubai Basketball celebrated a historic achievement on Saturday, securing their first triple-digit scoring game with a commanding 102-74 victory against Cibona in Zagreb. This triumph improved their ABA League record to an impressive 5-1.
Head coach Jurica Golemac hailed the performance as a complete team effort, with the squad displaying dominance from the very start. After Ahmet Duverioglu sank both of his free throws just 13 seconds into the game, Dubai established an early lead, finishing the first quarter with a substantial 35-17 advantage.
With this performance, Dubai Basketball became one of the few teams this season to score over 30 points in a single quarter, showcasing their offensive prowess. Cibona, missing their starting point guards Roko Rogic and Kreso Radovcic, struggled to find an answer to Dubai’s relentless attack.
By the end of the third quarter, Dubai had extended their lead to 81-52 and continued to dominate in the fourth quarter, crossing the century mark for the first time in the franchise’s brief history. JaCorey Williams capped off the scoring with a two-pointer in the paint, solidifying the win.
Williams, who has been a consistent scorer this season, left Croatia ranked second in the ABA League for “Points in the Paint.” Former NBA star Davis Bertans led the game with 17 points, excelling from beyond the arc by shooting 62.5 percent (five of eight) from three-point range. Bertans now stands second in the ABA League for three-pointers made, trailing only Split’s Jordano Antonio.
Thirdy Ravena also made a significant contribution in just over 10 minutes of play, recording his first steal, assist, and rebound of the season. His defensive efforts helped keep Cibona’s scoring to just 74 points, earning him recognition as a fan favorite in Dubai.
Following this victory, Dubai Basketball is tied for second in the ABA League standings, just behind Partizan Mozzart, whom they will face next on Sunday, November 10. Golemac commended his players, stating, “I congratulate my players for playing really well. We achieved what we came for and played a great game. Now we will analyze what we can do better and move on to the next game.”
The team will continue their road trip next weekend, heading to Montenegro for a matchup against Studentski Centar Derby on Saturday, November 2. Fans can look forward to their return to the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai on Sunday, November 17, where they will take on KRKA.
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