CSM Oradea clinches historic Romanian title

CSM Oradea clinched the Liga Nationala title in Romania with a 79-73 victory over BC Targu Mures in Round 5 of the 2015/2016 finals series. The home win allowed CSM Oradea to clinch the LNBM league in front of its own fans. Whoever the champions was this season it would be an historic campaign as neither club had ever won the Liga Nationala before.

It was CSM Oradea tasting that history making glory on Friday, but it was a very tight game that was decided deep in the fourth quarter.

The hosts made the early running and took a lead that was maintained for the whole of the first quarter, which ended with Oradea leading 20-15. Mures found a more consistent scoring touch in the second frame and used it to get closer on the scoreboard. A 23-25 run made it 43-40 through the long break, with plenty left to play for. The teams could not be separated in a bucket trading third act which was shared 15 points apiece for a 58-55 score after thirty minutes on the hardwood. The visitors run out of steam late in the fourth to let Oradea extend to victory and the title.

Martin Zeno hit 21 points in the win and also took 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Andrei Mandache added 13 points in victory and Sean Barnette a double-double of 11 points and 10 boards.

The Targu Mures roster failed to back up huge games from two players. Alhaji Mohammed scored a game high 23 points, while Goran Martinic added 22 points in the losing effort.