Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade produced one of the most dramatic results of the EuroLeague round on Friday, defeating Valencia Basket 110-104 in double overtime at Belgrade Arena after a comeback that unfolded over nearly 50 minutes of basketball.
The Serbian club erased multiple deficits and finished with a decisive surge in the second overtime, securing its fifth consecutive victory and improving to 14-20 on the season.
Valencia, which entered the game battling for home-court advantage in the playoffs, fell to 21-13 after losing control late despite leading for large stretches of the night.
Partizan spent most of regulation chasing the game after falling behind by as many as 12 points in the first half. The hosts struggled to find rhythm early but gradually stayed within striking distance through defensive pressure and transition scoring.
The turning point arrived late in the fourth quarter when the Belgrade side produced an 8-0 run to erase a late deficit and force overtime at 84-84.
Carlik Jones, who recently returned after missing much of the season with a foot injury, played a central role in the comeback. The point guard finished with 27 points and six assists while orchestrating several key possessions in crunch time.
Sterling Brown delivered the most decisive scoring burst of the night. The guard scored a career-high 31 points and added seven rebounds, including a critical three-pointer late in the second overtime that effectively sealed the outcome.
Trailing 97-92 during the second overtime period, Partizan responded again as Jones scored five consecutive points to tie the game before Brown connected from long range to push the hosts ahead for good.
Isaac Bonga contributed 13 points while Dylan Osetkowski added 14, giving Partizan balanced scoring during a night when the rotation was shortened due to injuries.
Valencia received 18 points and six rebounds from Kam Taylor, while Brancou Badio and Darius Thompson each scored 16. Nate Reuvers added 12 points but the visitors struggled to close the game without injured guard Jean Montero.
Partizan will next face Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade on April 2, while Valencia travels to play Virtus Bologna on April 3.
