KK Zadar overwhelmed Ilirija 95-70 in the Adriatic Basketball Association League on October 26, 2026, delivering a complete performance at both ends of the floor. The home side set the tone early, never allowed Ilirija to settle, and turned the contest into a comfortable victory well before the final buzzer.

Match overview

Zadar opened with a 28-16 first quarter, powered by aggressive defense and quick transition baskets. The lead grew to 51-34 by halftime as the home bench maintained the intensity. Ilirija briefly found some offensive rhythm in the third quarter, but Zadar answered with a 10-0 run to push the advantage to 77-54 entering the final period. The fourth quarter was played at a slower pace, with Zadar managing the game and clearing their bench.

Key moments

The first quarter effectively decided the contest. Zadar forced five turnovers in the opening six minutes and converted them into easy points, sparking a 12-0 run that took the score from 8-7 to 20-7. Ilirija never recovered. In the third quarter, Zadar's second unit delivered another decisive stretch, with Ante Kovačević hitting consecutive three-pointers to end any hopes of an Ilirija comeback.

Tactical story

Zadar's defensive game plan was clear: pressure the ball, deny easy perimeter looks, and force Ilirija into contested mid-range shots. The visitors struggled to generate clean attempts, finishing with a low shooting percentage from beyond the arc. Zadar also dominated the rebounding battle, limiting second-chance points and triggering fast breaks. Offensively, Zadar shared the ball well, finishing with 22 assists and scoring efficiently in the paint.

Standout players

• Jakov Perić (KK Zadar): 20 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists, controlling the tempo throughout.
• Marko Banić (KK Zadar): 17 points and 10 rebounds, anchoring the interior on both ends.
• Ante Kovačević (KK Zadar): 12 points off the bench, including two crucial third-quarter three-pointers.
• Nikola Tavčar (Ilirija): 16 points and 5 rebounds in a losing effort.

Season impact

The victory strengthens Zadar's position in the Adriatic Basketball Association League standings and reinforces their home-court advantage. For Ilirija, the defeat highlights the gap between them and the league's stronger sides, particularly on the road. Zadar will look to build on this performance in their next fixture, while Ilirija must regroup defensively before their next challenge.