KB Bashkimi secured an 86-79 home win over KB Peja in the Superliga on 26 October 2026, using a decisive third-quarter surge to take control of a competitive contest. The victory gave Bashkimi an important early-season result and underlined the value of their balanced attack, while Peja left with a creditable road performance but without the win.

Match overview

The game was close through the opening half, with Bashkimi holding a narrow 42-40 lead at the break. The hosts had started well enough to take the first quarter 22-18, but Peja answered with a 22-20 second period to keep the margin within reach. The contest changed after halftime, when Bashkimi produced its best stretch of basketball and outscored Peja 24-17 in the third quarter to move ahead 66-57.

• Final score: KB Bashkimi 86, KB Peja 79
• Quarter scores: 22-18, 20-22, 24-17, 20-22
• Half-time: Bashkimi 42, Peja 40
• Key stretch: Bashkimi’s 24-17 third quarter

How the game unfolded

Bashkimi’s early advantage came from patient half-court possessions and second-chance points. The hosts moved the ball well against Peja’s initial defensive pressure and found openings inside, but Peja stayed composed and kept the game within one possession for much of the first half. Peja’s response in the second quarter was built on quicker transition attacks and better three-point shooting, which helped them erase the early deficit and briefly threaten to take the lead before the interval.

The third quarter proved to be the difference. Bashkimi tightened its defense, limited Peja’s clean looks from beyond the arc and turned several stops into points at the other end. A mid-quarter run pushed the lead into double digits, and the home side carried that momentum into the final period. Peja did not fade away, winning the fourth quarter 22-20, but Bashkimi had enough control of the tempo to close out the win.

Key moments

The decisive passage came in the third quarter, when Bashkimi combined aggressive rebounding with disciplined shot selection. After Peja had kept the game tight, Bashkimi’s defensive stops sparked a run that changed the scoreboard and forced the visitors to chase. Peja made a late push in the fourth, cutting into the lead with quick baskets, but Bashkimi responded with timely free throws and a composed final two minutes.

Standout performers

Bashkimi’s success was built on a shared scoring effort rather than one dominant individual performance. The backcourt controlled the pace, the forwards attacked the offensive glass and the bench provided enough energy to maintain the third-quarter momentum. For Peja, the visitors’ perimeter players kept the team in contact and their late scoring run showed why they remained dangerous until the final whistle.

What it means

The result adds valuable momentum to Bashkimi’s Superliga campaign and gives the team a home win to build on. For Peja, the defeat is a narrow one against a direct rival, and the performance offers positives despite the final score. Both teams will now turn their attention to the next round, with Bashkimi looking to carry the same defensive intensity forward and Peja aiming to turn competitive stretches into complete four-quarter performances.