Pajola Hits Game-Winner as Partizan Edges Crvena Zvezda in Belgrade Derby Overtime (85-82)

The eternal Belgrade derby had everything and ended in Partizan's favor. Joan Peñarroya's team dominated for three quarters, watched as Ibon Navarro's Crvena Zvezda mounted a 15-point fourth-quarter comeback, and ultimately won in overtime (85-82) thanks to a three-pointer from Alessandro Pajola. The matchup between the two Spanish coaches snapped Zvezda's four-game winning streak and leaves both teams with four wins and three losses.

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Partizan Dominant Through Halftime

Partizan came out firing. They won the first quarter 31-21 and continued to punish in the second, with Carlik Jones as their focal point: the point guard had 15 points at halftime. Crvena Zvezda tried to respond with an 8-0 run that made it 38-29, but the home team's answer was immediate.

Pajola scored, Lamar Stevens threw down a dunk and then hit a three-pointer, and Partizan went into halftime with a 52-38 lead. Shortly after the restart, the advantage reached 18 points (56-38).

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Zvezda's Comeback and Pajola's Game-Winner

The third quarter was a low-scoring affair (13-12) and Partizan entered the fourth with a 15-point lead (65-50). Then everything changed. Crvena Zvezda tightened their defense, Partizan managed just 10 points in the entire fourth quarter, and Ibon Navarro's team, with a 10-25 run, forced overtime (75-75).

In the extra period, the game was decided by the slimmest of margins. Pajola, who finished with just seven points, nailed the three-pointer that sealed victory for Partizan, who won overtime 10-7. Jones finished with 26 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists, Stevens with 16, and Kevarrius Hayes with 13 and 8 rebounds. For Crvena Zvezda, Jones (22) and Jordan Nwora (16 and 8 rebounds) led a comeback that came up just short.