Leoni hold off Codeus/Nistruct, 53-49, in tense CLN 3 encounter

On 22 November 2025 at OŠ "Ivo Andrić" Niš, Leoni edged Codeus/Nistruct 53-49 in a hard-fought CLN 3 round 8 game that hinged on a commanding second quarter and clutch free throws down the stretch.

The game unfolded in distinct chapters. The opening period finished 15-12 in favor of Leoni, but it was the second quarter that set the tone: Leoni outscored their opponents 19-7 to build a 36-19 advantage at the break. Codeus/Nistruct staged a spirited comeback in the third, posting a 15-6 quarter to trim the gap to 40-34 and force a tense final period. The fourth quarter was a low-scoring affair (15-13), with Leoni doing just enough late to preserve the win.

Top individual performances shaped the result. Janković Nikola carried the scoring burden for Codeus/Nistruct with 27 points on 11-of-23 shooting, adding four steals and an efficiency of 25; his late baskets repeatedly threatened to overturn the deficit. For Leoni, Asanović Zoran was the offensive fulcrum with 22 points (including a string of second-quarter scores that helped open the halftime gap) and an efficiency of 16. Mladenović Predrag provided timely offense (10 points) and spacing with his outside shooting.

The official player of the game was Đokić Aleksandar, who finished with 6 points, 13 rebounds and 3 assists for an efficiency of 18 — a productive, physical presence on the glass that anchored Leoni’s control of possessions. Other contributors included Majstorović Todor and Stefanović Borislav, who helped fuel the late comeback with hustle plays and second-chance points.

Key moments: multiple second-quarter scores from Asanović Zoran and a deep three by Mladenović Predrag swung momentum before halftime. In the final minute, Janković Nikola hit a basket at 00:34 to bring the deficit to three, Asanović Zoran converted a free throw at 00:40, and Aleksić Novica sealed the outcome with late free throws at 00:02 to make it 53-49.

In the end, Leoni’s second-quarter surge and composed free-throw work in the dying seconds proved decisive. Codeus/Nistruct’s rally showcased character and a dominant scoring night from Janković Nikola, but it fell just short against a balanced Leoni side that controlled the middle phases of the game.

This post was generated by AI.