KB Sigal Prishtina took a small advantage after the first Final game of EUROHOLD Balkan League. At home, the team defeated BC Rilski Sportist 74-72 which means that everything will be decided in Samokov next Wednesday, 29th of April. The visitors led for most of the game but the home side had the chance to take a good lead after turning the score in the last quarter. However Rilski cut its deficit and left the overall tie wide open.
Both teams started the game well and scored a lot of points. At one point Rilski managed to take the lead and even managed to build some advantage. After Vernon Taylor scored at the buzzer to end the first quarter, the visitors went up by 6 points and they started the second on a 5-0 run. The lead went to double digits and Sigal cut it after 8-0 run that was stopped by Darin Ivanov triple. Then the visitors stayed in front and at the break led by 5 points after Bojan Trajkovski scored a three-pointer with few seconds to go.Shortly after the start of the second half the hosts tied the score but Rilski answered and kept leading. Later Sigal once again tied but still the visitors managed to have 1-point lead after 30 minutes.
Edin Bavcic finished with 23 points and 8 rebounds for the home side while Dardan Berisha added 18 points. For the visiting team Zarko Rakocevic had 21 points and 9 rebounds while Vernon Taylor added 20 points.
It should be emphasized that a tie or even a minimal loss in the return game will make Pristina champion of the Balkan League.
Sigal Prishtina-Rilski Sportist 74:72 (21:27, 17:16, 17:13, 19:16).
Youth and Sports Center, Prishtina
Spectators: 3000.
Referees: M. Ciulin, I. Dragojevic, Z. Ruteshic.
Sigal Prishtina: Bavcic 23, Azemi 5, Hulls 4, Mavunga 11, Jakupi, Mazreku, Trajkovski 9, Berisha 18, Stitt 4, Bajrami, Coles, Mekaj.
Rilski Sportist: Gugino 6, Taylor 20, Bozov 12, Rakocevic 21, Z. Georgiev 2, Milov, Ivanov 3, Norfleet 5, K. Georgiev, Kirov, Iliev 3, Todorov.