Zadar Plus Women Hold Off Medvescak 80-73 in Prva zenska liga Battle

Zadar Plus (W) secured an important 80-73 home victory over Medvescak Women in the Prva zenska liga on October 11, 2026. In a contest that remained within reach for both sides deep into the fourth quarter, the hosts relied on balanced scoring, timely defensive stops, and clutch free-throw shooting to close out a seven-point win.

The result gives Zadar Plus a valuable boost in the early-season standings picture and hands Medvescak a frustrating road loss in a matchup that could carry weight when the Prva zenska liga table is reviewed later in the campaign.

Match Overview and Final Score

Zadar Plus set the tone with a strong opening quarter and never trailed by a significant margin after the first ten minutes. Medvescak stayed competitive with efficient perimeter shooting and a determined second-quarter run, but the home side answered every challenge with production inside the paint and from the free-throw line.

The final score reflects a game decided by small margins: Zadar Plus won the first and third quarters, survived a brief second-quarter surge from Medvescak, and then made the bigger plays in the closing minutes.

How the Game Unfolded

Zadar Plus came out aggressively, attacking the basket early and forcing Medvescak into help rotations. The hosts scored 22 points in the opening period, mixing transition opportunities with patient half-court possessions. Medvescak responded with outside shooting, but trailed 22-18 after ten minutes.

The second quarter belonged more to the visitors. Medvescak tightened its defense, contested passing lanes, and held Zadar Plus to 17 points. A late surge gave the away side momentum, but Zadar Plus still carried a narrow 39-37 lead into halftime.

The third quarter proved decisive. Zadar Plus rediscovered its inside game, controlled the defensive glass, and limited Medvescak to 16 points. A 20-point period pushed the home lead to 59-53 heading into the fourth. Medvescak refused to fade, cutting the deficit to four on multiple occasions, but Zadar Plus had an answer each time.

Key Moments That Decided the Game

• First-quarter pressure: Zadar Plus opened with a 22-point quarter, establishing a lead it would protect for most of the night.
• Second-quarter resilience: Medvescak used a 19-17 period to climb back into the game and went into the break with momentum.
• Third-quarter separation: Zadar Plus won the third 20-16, creating the cushion that ultimately decided the contest.
• Clutch free throws: In the final three minutes, Zadar Plus converted key attempts at the line to keep Medvescak from completing a late comeback.

Tactical Breakdown

Zadar Plus did its best work inside the arc. The hosts consistently fed the post, crashed the offensive boards, and turned second-chance opportunities into points. That interior presence also opened up driving lanes for the guards, allowing Zadar Plus to score 41 points across the first and third quarters combined.

Medvescak's best stretches came when it pushed the tempo and moved the ball quickly around the perimeter. The visitors generated open looks from three-point range and used dribble penetration to collapse the Zadar Plus defense. However, they struggled to contain Zadar Plus on the glass, especially in the second half, and that proved costly.

Defensively, Zadar Plus made a subtle but important adjustment after halftime, switching more aggressively on screens and forcing Medvescak into contested mid-range shots. The change disrupted the visitors' rhythm just enough to allow the home side to build its lead.

Standout Performers

Zadar Plus (W) was led by a balanced attack rather than a single dominant scorer. Guard Mia Barišić paced the offense with 21 points, six rebounds, and four assists, while center Nika Jurić added 14 points and 11 rebounds, anchoring the paint on both ends. The backcourt also chipped in with timely steals and transition baskets that kept the pressure on Medvescak.

For Medvescak Women, Lana Kovačević delivered a game-high 23 points and five rebounds, keeping her team within striking distan