BC Mures proved to be one of the most unpredictable teams of the championship. After a surprising loss against Craiova, Srecko Sekulovic's team managed a 7 point victory against BCM U Pitesti, one of the better teams of the league.
The game started badly for the visitors, as Pitesti took a 10 point lead early on. Srecko Sekulovic used nine of his ten players in the first half, and the substitutes didn't let him down, managing to tie the game at 28. Pitesti picked up the rhythm and managed a 9 point run, but a similar run of the visitors took the score to 37-37. From here on the to teams went neck and neck until the break, BC Mures having the last word with an Ivanovic buzzer beater, and the scoreboard showed 39-41 at the half.
The third quarter was a nightmare for Pitesti, many turnovers, missed shots and most of all many uncontested shots left for BC Mures, whom at one point had a 25 point lead, 47-72. Hristu Sapera used most of his available players to press a suffocating defense and it almost worked out. The BC Mures substitutes were left on the bench for most of the second half and the starters started to tire as the minutes counted down. This spurred an unlikely Pitesti comeback and made it a close encounter right to the finish. Despite a valiant effort, Pitesti couldn't cut into the Mures lead enough and had to concede a seven point victory in the end.
The seven point margin equals the difference from the first game, so in the case of a two way tie at the end of the regular season, the total point difference in the championship will decide the order. This was the reason why both teams, and most of all Pitesti, tried to score up until the end, even if the winner had been already decided.
Scorers:
BCM U Pitesti: Sutalo 21 (3), Milosevic 19, Djapa 13 (1), Ross 13 (1)
BC Mures Tirgu Mures: Adamovic 23 (3), Ivanovic 16 (), Dykes 16, Gajovic 12 (4).
After this game Pitesti has a 9-6 and BC Mures a 7-8 standing. The battle for the playoffs is still very much open.
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