Montenegro Edges Romania 65-64 in Tense Qualifier
Montenegro snatched a nail-biting 65-64 victory over Romania in a tense FIBA World Cup Qualifier contest. Romania held a slim 29-28 lead at halftime, but Montenegro surged ahead 55-50 entering the fourth quarter, setting the stage for a dramatic finish where they clung to a one-point advantage. The third quarter proved decisive, as Montenegro outscored Romania by six points, bolstered by a commanding 44 points from their bench. Despite struggling with their shooting, hitting just 33% from the field (22/66) and a mere 15% from three-point range (4/26), Montenegro found a way to win. Emir Hadzibegovic was instrumental, posting 9 points and a double-double with 12 rebounds, complemented by 2 assists and 2 steals. Djordje Jovanovic provided a vital 12 points off the bench. For Romania, Emi Cate led the charge with 15 points and 8 rebounds, while Daron Russell chipped in 17 points from the bench. Montenegro dominated the boards, outrebounding Romania 43-33, though Romania committed fewer turnovers (10 vs 13). This hard-fought win provides significant momentum for Montenegro in the international tournament.