Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade secured a crucial 108–100 overtime victory against Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz on Wednesday night at Buesa Arena, strengthening its position in the crowded race for the EuroLeague play-in spots.
The Serbian club entered the matchup under pressure after the other teams tied in the standings all recorded wins earlier in the week.
Zvezda responded by overcoming a 10-point halftime deficit and surviving a tense finish to improve to 19–14, keeping pace in the tightly packed middle of the standings.
The opening quarter featured a fast offensive rhythm from both sides.
Baskonia pushed the tempo and recorded nine assists in the first period, but Zvezda matched the pace by converting four of five attempts from three-point range to edge ahead 28–27.
The momentum shifted in the second quarter as the hosts tightened defensively.
Zvezda managed only one field goal in the first five minutes of the period while Baskonia built a double-digit advantage, taking a 52–42 lead into halftime.
The visitors responded immediately after halftime with improved defensive pressure and physical play in the paint.
A 9–0 run fueled by free throws and stops trimmed the deficit and shifted momentum toward the Belgrade side.
Guard Jared Butler sparked the comeback late in the third quarter and into the fourth. He scored 11 points in less than three minutes, giving Zvezda its first lead since the opening period as Baskonia’s offense slowed significantly.
Baskonia regained control briefly in the closing minutes behind key shots from Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot and Trent Forrest.
Forrest’s three-pointer and free throws pushed the home team ahead 91–88 with under 30 seconds remaining.
Butler answered with a clutch three-pointer with 12.2 seconds left to tie the game at 91–91.
Forrest’s final attempt at the buzzer missed, sending the game to overtime.
The extra period belonged to Chima Moneke. The forward scored multiple baskets in a 61-second stretch, including a layup and a three-pointer, while also contributing a block, a save, and an assist that led to a decisive layup by Semi Ojeleye.
Moneke finished with 22 points and eight rebounds, leading Zvezda’s offense.
Butler added 21 points, while Jordan Nwora scored 20 points and Ojeleye contributed 15.
For Baskonia, Trent Forrest led all scorers with 31 points and went 15-for-15 from the free-throw line.
Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot added 21 points, and Gytis Radzevicius finished with 15.
Zvezda will travel to face FC Barcelona on March 27, while Baskonia hosts Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv the same day.
