On Vučević's Wings, Montenegro Celebrated Against the Dragons in Skenderija

(Patria) - The Bosnia and Herzegovina national basketball team was defeated by Montenegro 102:90 in a friendly match in Skenderija. This was the fourth loss in as many preparatory matches so far before Eurobasket 2025.

First Quarter

Alibegović opened the match with a three-pointer, and Musa was half accurate from the free-throw line for a 4:0 lead.

Montenegro kept the score even with points from Vučević, but Alibegović played a fantastic role in the middle of the first half, hitting his second three-pointer for a 13:8 lead.

NBA center Vučević punished several missed possessions by the Dragons with new points, prompting coach Adis Bećiragić to call a timeout with the score at 16:15.

Lazić hit a three-pointer on the next possession, after which Montenegro called a timeout. The equal pace continued, and Nurkić added points twice from the free-throw line - 22:21 after the first quarter.

Second Quarter

Montenegro took their first lead at the start of the second quarter with points from Simonović, Nikolić, and Drobnjak, while Nurkić added two points with back-to-the-basket play for the home team - 24:28.

The guests punished several consecutive misses by the Dragons with quick scores and went up by the largest margin of the game - 26:36, forcing Bećiragić to call a timeout.

The guests maintained a double-digit lead for several minutes, but points from Alibegović, Kamenjaš, and Musa brought BiH closer at 42:44. An extremely offensively inspired Vučević, along with Mihailović, restored a seven-point lead, Lazić reduced it with an effective dunk, and after several free throws, Musa concluded the first half - the score was 45:50.

An exciting continuation is expected in the remaining 20 minutes in Skenderija.

Third Quarter

Lazić opened the second half with a three-pointer and two free throws, giving the Dragons the lead back - 51:50.

However, Montenegro woke up again, and Vučević, with a successful three-point shot, and Simonović with easy points, took a new lead - 55:60.

The intense pace of the third quarter, as if it were a competitive match, continued with sports sparks and complaints about the refereeing. Kamenjaš reduced the deficit to 67:68 with a poster dunk, significantly raising the atmosphere in the hall.

In the final moments of the third quarter, Gegić woke up with several excellent plays, but the guests maintained consistency in offense and entered the last 10 minutes with a 72:79 lead.

Fourth Quarter

Montenegro capitalized on several poor offensive decisions and penetration attempts, extending their lead from the free-throw line to a maximum of 74:87.

Offensive nervousness crept into the BiH team, and the guests' lead grew to 76:94. Musa with a layup under foul, and Castaneda with a steal, made a run to make it 81:94.

Vučević did not falter at any moment of the game, scoring his 23rd point for Montenegro in the final minutes. He received huge ovations from the BiH fans as he left the court.

Adis Bećiragić's players could not find a solution for the guests' offensive play and thus recorded their fourth loss in preparation. In the first two matches, a much-weakened BiH team was defeated in China, after which our selection lost to Serbia in Belgrade 126:89.

(N1)