Raiders Tirol produced a strong road performance to beat Celovec 97-85 in Austria Basketball Zweite Liga action on October 18, 2026, pulling away in the second half after an evenly contested opening period. The visitors used a 27-18 third quarter to turn a five-point halftime lead into a comfortable cushion, then held off Celovec’s late push to close out a 12-point win.

The final score reflected Raiders Tirol’s balance on offense and their ability to punish Celovec in transition. Celovec stayed within reach early, but the third-quarter run gave the visitors the separation they needed in a game that was more competitive than the final margin suggests.

Match overview

Raiders Tirol led 25-22 after the first quarter and took a 48-43 advantage into halftime. The decisive stretch came immediately after the break, when the visitors increased their defensive pressure and forced Celovec into quick, contested shots. By the end of the third, Raiders Tirol had built a 75-61 lead, and although Celovec won the fourth quarter 24-22, the gap proved too large to close.

• First quarter: Celovec 22, Raiders Tirol 25
• Second quarter: Celovec 21, Raiders Tirol 23
• Third quarter: Celovec 18, Raiders Tirol 27
• Fourth quarter: Celovec 24, Raiders Tirol 22

Key moments

The game turned in the opening minutes of the third quarter. Raiders Tirol opened the half with a 10-2 run, capped by a transition layup after a Celovec turnover, forcing the home side to call timeout. Celovec briefly responded with back-to-back baskets inside, but Raiders Tirol closed the period on another surge to take control.

Celovec made one final attempt in the fourth, cutting the deficit to nine with just over three minutes remaining, but Raiders Tirol answered with a calm possession that ended in a corner three. That shot effectively ended the comeback and allowed the visitors to manage the final possessions.

Tactical story

Raiders Tirol’s half-court defense was the difference. They limited Celovec’s driving lanes and forced the home side into several late-clock attempts, while their own offense generated good looks through ball movement. Raiders Tirol finished with a healthy assist total and punished Celovec on the fast break, especially during the decisive third-quarter stretch.

Celovec’s inside game kept them competitive for long stretches, but turnovers and second-chance points allowed proved costly. The home side battled on the boards, yet Raiders Tirol’s perimeter rotations and help defense disrupted Celovec’s rhythm when the game was still in the balance.

Standout players

Lukas Perktold led Raiders Tirol with 22 points and seven assists, controlling the tempo and hitting several important shots in the second half. Marco Gstrein added 18 points and 11 rebounds, giving the visitors a strong inside-outside combination. For Celovec, Niko Skerl scored 24 points and grabbed six rebounds, but his effort was not enough to prevent the home defeat.

Standings impact

The win gives Raiders Tirol an important early-season result on the road and strengthens their position in the Austria Basketball Zweite Liga table. For Celovec, the loss is a frustrating one because they remained competitive for long periods but could not match the visitors’ third-quarter intensity. The result adds another chapter to the head-to-head record and leaves both teams with clear areas to address as the season progresses.