Crvena Zvezda Belgrade 15-0 in Adriatic League

Crvena Zvezda Belgrade added another notch to its unbeaten record as the club’s incredible start to the Adriatic League continued on Saturday. The Serbian powerhouse hosted current ABA title holders Cibona Zagreb of Croatia and brushed the champs aside with an impressive 80-64 win. The victory maintained the unblemished run in this competition, with Crvena Zvezda Belgrade now 15-0 since the start of the campaign.

More than that, the clubs’ hold on top spot in the league standings tightened as they moved a step closer to wrapping up the Regular Season. The Red Star club is enjoying a stunning season (even in the Euroleague) and will be hoping to carry its good form into 2015. Recent Crvena Zvezda performances have revealed a team willing to get in the paint and mix it up, and this was no different as the hosts grabbed 38 rebounds to Cibona’s 26.

The Serbian heavyweight has also shown a good team ethic in recent weeks, and that was highlighted once more by 23 assists on the night. The unbeaten run is troubling the record books, with this fifteenth consecutive win tying the all-time record for straight wins, a record that could tumble in the next round.

Crvena Zvezda Belgrade vs. Cibona Zagreb, 80-64
A high octane first quarter saw both teams hit aggressive plays under the bucket, but the home team kept momentum to lead 22-18 through ten minutes. The second frame followed much the same pattern, but this time Red Star emerged with a 21-18 run to make it 43-36 heading into the locker room at the midway buzzer. Cibona found the edge in the third quarter to cut the deficit to five points after 30 minutes, with the scoreboard reading 57-52. The hosts responded to that minor setback with a thumping 23-12 streak in the fourth quarter, a repost that sealed the win in style.

Nikola Kalinic came from the bench to top the winners with 15 points, while Luka Mitrovic secured 12 points, Branko Lazic 10 points, and Boban Marjanovic doubled up with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Dominik Mavra nailed 20 points for the losing champions, but it was a lone assault as he was the only Cibona player to register double figures through the net.