Sutjeska fans are celebrating one of the most experienced, Filip Barović, who once again showed his class and scored the winning goal for his team practically at the sound of the siren.
Marko Simonović's team now has the opportunity to close out the series and advance to the semifinals on Wednesday, March 25th, but to do so, they will have to once again maintain the pace and character they showed in this match.
Sloboda opened the match better and after the first ten minutes had a lead of 23:18. The team from Tuzla controlled the rhythm, but Sutjeska gradually caught up, so the guests went into the break with a minimal lead – 43:42.
The rest of the game was a real seesaw. Neither team managed to break away, right up until the very end. With one minute and eight seconds left, Sloboda seemed to be in control, Vladimir Tomašević scored for 85:80 and it seemed like the match was over.
But Sutjeska didn't stop. Slobodan Miljanić scored from the free throw line, and then Kwame Vaughn, the new signing for Nikšić, hit a three-pointer to tie the game and get back into the game.
Sloboda had the last attack in the regular period, but Sani Čampara failed to hit the winning shot, so the game went into overtime.
In the additional five minutes, there was an exhausting battle for every possession, and the decision came in the last second, Filip Barović scored at the sound of the siren and brought the triumph to Sutjeska.
Vaughn immediately showed how much he can mean to this team with 19 points, Balša Živanović added 18, while Slobodan Miljanić scored 15. Filip Barović and Chris Martin also scored in double figures with 12 points each.
On the other hand, Sloboda was not helped by the great performance of Sani Čampara, who recorded a double-double with 24 points and 10 assists. Aleksa Jugović added 17, Vladimir Tomašević 15, and Savo Milanović 13 points.
The series now moves into game two, but after an opening like this, it's clear that nothing will be over without new drama.
