Szolnoki Olaj claims third straight Hungarian crown

Szolnoki Olaj successfully defended its Hungarian league title with a narrow 76-78 road win over Alba Fehervar in Game 4 of the final series. The reigning champs cemented its recent dominance over Hungarian Basketball with a third success title. By recording a three-peat of championships, Szolnoki Olaj secured its fifth league crown in six seasons and its seventh overall.

As the score suggests, it was a tight game, but Szolnoki Olaj came through thanks in part to its excellent shooting from the charity strip. The visitors drained 17 from 21 free throw attempts, an 81% success rate that added some easy points to the total haul.

The champs started well and outpaced Alba through the first quarter, ending the run with a 15-23 lead, a deficit which the hosts would chase for much of the game. In the second stanza Olaj extended its advantage with a 22-26 streak in a higher scoring segment. Through the long break the scoreboard read 37-49 and Szolnoki was cruising.

In the third act Fehervar started to gain a defensive base and took the quarter 20-17 to make it 57-66 through thirty minutes on the hardwood. The home team had the momentum now and the rally continued in the fourth, which Alba won 19-12. Ultimately it was not enough as Olaj retained the title, but it made the close of the game exciting.

Milos Borisov and David Vojvoda led the winning effort with 20 points apiece, while Borisov recorded a double-double by grabbing 10 rebounds. Goran Vrbanc and Strahinja Milosevic followed with 11 points each.

Peter Lorant paced Alba with 16 points, while Tristan Spurlock added 15 points.