Trepca won 86:78 against Peja on Thursday at the “Minatori” gym in the first game of the playoff semi-final of the elite Kosovar basketball. It was the 21st consecutive victory of Mitrovica in Superliga matches.
But on Sunday in “Karagachi”, in the gym full of spectators, Peja fought back with a strong game. And in the end, he won the dramatic match 95:93, to level the semi-final series, and to cause Trepça its first defeat in the Super League since December 7, when it was defeated by Vellaznimi.
This matchup was decided in the last seconds and now the semi-final series is tied, 1:1.
Trepça ended the first half with a lead of four points, 42:38, while Peja entered the last period with a lead of five points, 68:63.
38 seconds before the end of the game, Peja had a lead of two points, 93:91.
Then, Mustapha Amzil was unlawfully stopped. He scored both free throws for 93:93, seven seconds before the end.
But in the next action, Cesare Edwards scored for 95:93. They were also the points of victory. Kenneth Hasbrouck of Trepca failed in the attempt for two points and the victory went to Pejans.
Edwards finished the game with 11 points and four rebounds, but Daquan Bracey had the best stats in the win. Bracey had a double-double of 26 points, 10 assists, while adding four rebounds.
Dardan Kapiti was the best in statistics at Trepça with 11 points, four rebounds and one assist.
Drilon Hajrizi scored 10 points, four assists and two rebounds.
The third duel will be played on Thursday in Mitrovica. The team that scores three wins advances to the finals.
