Jolly JBS Sibenik (W) secured a hard-fought 73-69 road win over KK Buducnost Women in the Adriatic Women's Basketball League on Sunday, September 27, 2026. In a game that tipped off at 22:00 local time in Podgorica, the Croatian visitors produced the more composed finish, outscoring Buducnost in the third quarter and then holding their nerve in a tense fourth to claim a valuable result in the early-season WABA standings.

The final scoreline reflected the closeness of the contest. Neither team led by more than six points after halftime, and the game was still in the balance inside the final two minutes. Buducnost had spells of control, particularly in the second quarter, but Sibenik's late execution, rebounding edge, and clutch free-throw shooting made the difference down the stretch.

Match Overview

Buducnost started brightly in front of their home supporters, but Sibenik answered every early run with timely perimeter shooting. The teams reached halftime level at 37-37, setting up a second half that felt more like a playoff battle than an early-season league fixture.

Sibenik took a 55-51 lead into the final quarter after a decisive third-period push. Buducnost responded with a 7-0 run early in the fourth to briefly reclaim momentum, but the visitors regained the lead for good with a pair of crucial three-point plays in the closing minutes.

Key Moments

The first quarter set the tone for a back-and-forth affair. Buducnost used its inside presence to score early, while Sibenik relied on ball movement and outside shooting to stay within striking distance. A late first-quarter triple gave the visitors a 20-18 advantage after ten minutes.

Buducnost's best stretch came in the second quarter. The hosts tightened their defense, forced several contested misses, and briefly opened a four-point cushion. But Sibenik's guards settled the offense before halftime, closing the half on a 6-2 run to send the teams into the break tied at 37-37.

The third quarter proved decisive. Sibenik came out of the locker room with renewed intensity, switching defensive coverages and attacking the offensive glass. An 8-0 run midway through the period turned a tight game into a 55-51 lead heading into the fourth. Buducnost struggled to find rhythm against the changed defensive look, managing only 14 points in the quarter.

In the final period, Buducnost mounted a comeback. A quick 7-0 burst, capped by a corner three, brought the home crowd to life and gave the hosts a one-point lead with just under six minutes remaining. The teams traded baskets over the next several possessions before Sibenik's composure at the free-throw line and a critical offensive rebound sealed the 73-69 win.

Tactical Story

Sibenik's coaching staff made the game's most important adjustment at halftime, shifting from a man-to-man defense to a compact 2-3 zone that clogged the paint and forced Buducnost into perimeter shots. The hosts shot just 4-of-16 from beyond the arc in the second half, and their inability to consistently punish the zone allowed Sibenik to control the tempo.

On offense, Sibenik attacked matchup advantages on the wing and used high ball screens to create driving lanes. The visitors finished with a 34-28 edge in points in the paint and converted 15 offensive rebounds into 14 second-chance points. Buducnost, by contrast, won the turnover battle but struggled to convert live-ball turnovers into easy baskets.

The rebounding margin told the story of the night. Sibenik's frontcourt controlled the defensive glass in the fourth quarter, limiting Buducnost to one shot on several crucial possessions. That discipline, combined with timely shot-making, proved enough to survive a hostile road environment.

Standout Players

• Petra Maric (Jolly JBS Sibenik): Led all scorers with 21 points, adding 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals. She was the calmest player on the floor in the fourth quarter, hitting two pull-up jumpers and going 4-of-4 from the free-throw line in the final 90 seconds.
• Lana Bura (Jolly JBS Sibenik): Dominated the paint with 14 points, 12 rebounds, and 2 blocks. Her offensive rebounding in the fourth quarter directly created two second-chance scores that swung the game.
• Iva Perisa (Jolly JBS Sibenik): Added 13 points and 7 rebounds, including a key corner three in the th