When it comes to Buducnost, nothing seems impossible. Facing teams from the Euroleague playoff zone, the “blue and white” players are proving formidable, especially in a city where many of Europe’s strongest teams have struggled this season.

In yet another unforgettable match, an outstanding performance led by Andrej Žakelj saw Buducnost overcome great challenges—emerging victorious over Red Star Belgrade with a thrilling 96:89 win after extra time.

To maintain their position at the top, Partizan requires an 18-2 record, identical to what Buducnost currently holds. Meanwhile, Red Star, with a 16-4 record, is now out of contention for the top two playoff spots.

Recalling their earlier game against Partizan, Buducnost once again dominated the Euroleague court, leading for most of the match. Whenever Red Star posed a challenge, Buducnost always responded decisively.

The only slip-up occurred at the end of regulation, where Buducnost, leading by 10 points (78:68), found themselves close to defeat.

After Cody Miller-McIntyre converted just one free throw to tie the game at 80:80, McKinley Wright showcased his leadership in the extra period by scoring seven points, assisted by Rashid Sulajmon, ensuring the win for Podgorica.

This victory marks Buducnost’s first win against Red Star in Belgrade since December 2020.

From the outset, Buducnost’s disciplined defense set the tone for a strong performance, complemented by an offense that delivered attractive plays. Even when things didn’t go as planned in the first half, their excellent offensive rebounding kept them in command.

Juwan Morgan made a dynamic start in both defense and offense, followed by Wright and Sulaiman. A three-pointer from Fletcher Magee pushed the score to 15:8 in favor of the visitors. Yogi Ferrell then contributed to widening Buducnost’s lead to double digits at 19:8.

Though Red Star repeatedly closed the gap to just two points, the “blue and white” always had an answer—first repelling attacks in the first half and later, in the third quarter, with contributions from Sulajmon, Ferrell, and Kenan Kamenjaš.

With a six-point lead (10:63) in the final minutes of the half, Buducnost held their ground, even as Red Star crept closer. Magee once again responded with key three-pointers, pushing the score out of reach.

The final quarter saw total chaos as the “Blue and White” surged ahead 75:66 with contributions from Sulajmon. With four minutes and 26 seconds left, they seemed destined for victory at 78:68. However, a late downturn put their lead at risk.

Miller-McIntyre missed two crucial free throws, and while fate might have been unkind, Buducnost rose to the occasion tonight.