Ragusa Dubrovnik Women earned a hard-fought 77-68 victory over KAZL Women in the Prva zenska liga, using a strong third quarter and timely free-throw shooting to secure the home win. The result gives Ragusa an important boost in the standings and reinforces their reputation as a tough team to beat in Dubrovnik.

Ragusa builds a first-half edge

The hosts started with purpose, moving the ball well and attacking the basket early. A 10-2 run in the opening minutes gave them a 16-8 lead, and they finished the first quarter ahead 21-16. KAZL responded in the second period, tightening their defense and finding success inside. The visitors trimmed the margin to just two points late in the half, but Ragusa scored the final four points before the break to take a 39-35 lead into the locker room.

Quarter-by-quarter score

• First quarter: Ragusa Dubrovnik Women 21-16 KAZL Women
• Second quarter: 18-19
• Third quarter: 19-15
• Fourth quarter: 19-18
• Final score: 77-68

Key moments and turning points

The third quarter proved decisive. Ragusa opened the second half with a 10-0 run, extending their lead to 49-35 and forcing KAZL to call timeout. The visitors fought back with a 7-0 spurt of their own, but Ragusa’s defense held firm at the end of the period, and a late jumper restored a 58-50 advantage heading into the fourth.

KAZL made one final push in the last quarter, closing the gap to four points with under five minutes remaining. Ragusa responded with disciplined offense, drawing fouls and converting free throws to keep their opponents at arm’s length. A crucial offensive rebound and put-back in the final two minutes effectively sealed the victory.

Standout performers and tactical story

Ragusa’s backcourt controlled the tempo, consistently breaking KAZL’s pressure and creating open looks for teammates. Their interior players did a solid job on the glass, especially on the offensive end, where second-chance points proved valuable. Defensively, Ragusa’s ability to switch screens and contest shots in the paint limited KAZL’s efficiency.

KAZL had strong stretches, particularly when their forwards attacked the rim and drew contact. However, they struggled with turnovers in critical moments and allowed Ragusa too many easy transition baskets. Their three-point shooting was also inconsistent, preventing them from fully capitalizing on their second-quarter run.

What the result means

This home win strengthens Ragusa Dubrovnik Women’s position in the Prva zenska liga and gives them momentum for the next stretch of fixtures. KAZL Women will be disappointed to leave without a win, but their competitive performance shows they can challenge strong opponents. They will need to improve their late-game execution to turn narrow defeats into victories.