CLN 3 Round 7: HTEC Group 43-41 Wersirius United
What was billed as a low-scoring confrontation turned into a grinding chess match, decided in the final ticks. The night belonged to decisive defense, rebounding muscle and a cold-blooded late free throw that separated the two sides in a 43-41 finish.
HTEC Group built a commanding margin through three quarters, stretching the advantage to 33-19 behind efficient interior play and disciplined ball control. A late fourth-quarter surge from Wersirius United — sparked by a quick trio of baskets and a momentum-shifting long range try — turned the scoreboard into a cliffhanger and set up a dramatic finish.
Stošić Jovan earned player-of-the-game honors by anchoring both ends of the court: 9 points, 9 rebounds and 3 steals, finishing with an efficiency rating that reflected his all-around impact. He was a constant presence on the glass and routinely altered possessions with timely steals that kept HTEC’s lead intact during stretches when the offense stalled.
Tomašević Nemanja supplied the crucial late-game scoring punch for the winners. His scoring line (including multiple big triples and late free throws) changed the tenor of the final minutes; a three-pointer early in the fourth answered Wersirius’ comeback, and his final free throw with two seconds remaining sealed the narrow victory.
On the stat sheet, the battle of the boards told an intriguing story. Petrović Filip battled relentlessly, hauling in an astonishing 21 rebounds despite a quiet shooting night, giving his team extra possessions and second-chance opportunities that fueled the fourth-quarter charge. For Wersirius, a collective effort — including contributions from Mišić Nemanja and Petrović Andrija — underlined their late rally, with Andrija’s long-range strike briefly putting them in front with under four minutes to play.
HTEC’s supporting cast chipped in when it mattered. Simonović Stefan knocked down two clutch free throws with four seconds on the clock to put his side up 42-39, and earlier efforts from Stanković Marko and Tomašević Nemanja helped build the mid-game cushion. Defence dominated the narrative — both teams combined for a string of missed shots and hard-fought possessions that kept the score unusually low for a league fixture.
The fourth quarter encapsulated the drama: a deep three to ignite the comeback, a sequence of free throws and quick conversion attempts, and a final trip to the line that decided the outcome. In the end, small margins and decisive plays in the paint separated the sides in a game where every possession mattered.
For followers of CLN 3, the encounter was a reminder that defensive grit and timely execution — more than flashy offense — often determine results. The narrow win will be savored by the winners and studied by the losers, both scrambling to refine endgame routines ahead of the next round.
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