By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Crvena Zvezda revamped the squad during the summer, signed 10 new players, and started the 2023/24 season with a convincing 81:63 win over Igokea in Laktaši.
Mike Tobey led the way for Dusko Ivanovic’s squad with 19 points and eight rebounds, scoring majority in the second half. Former Baskonia player Rokas Giedraitis added 12 points, Dalibori Ilic 11, while Luka Mitrovic finished with 10. Milos Teodosic had seven assists, but only four points on his debut.
For the Basketball Champions League Regular Season participants Igokea, Nikola Tanaskovic was on the verge of a double-double with 16 points and nine rebounds, while Marko Jeremic had 15 points, all from beyond the arc, shooting 5/8 for three.
The first half was tough, with both teams making a bunch of fouls, so the players started making regular trips to the free throw line already after three minutes in the second period. Zvezda stayed in front thanks to Giedraitis heroics, who scored 11 points in the first 20 minutes, including a buzzer beater triple at halftime.
Mike Tobey than took matters into his own hands, scoring seven points in a row to open the third period, capitan Branko Lazic added couple of triples, and Zvezda pulled away, grabbing 66-45 lead after 30 minutes of play. Soon in the final period, it was all over.
Photo: ABA League/Igokea/Marija Vuruna