Pushed by a raucous športová hala crowd, BC Prievidza came back from an 18-point deficit to beat Inter Bratislava 84-83 in dramatic fashion on Saturday evening.

With bigs Hunter Dean and Samuel Kincel both out injured, Head Coach Gareth Murray had to resort to small-ball lineups early and often. The visitors from the capital took full advantage and dominated the first quarter. More physical, more athletic, more alert – an impressive Inter jumped out to a 12-30 lead after ten minutes.  

Midway through the second stanza, the hosts began to show first signs of life. Two Daishon Smith three-pointers and a Jordan Johnson bomb from logo territory cut the lead to eight points at the half (40-48).

When six unanswered points by Keith Jordan made it 46-50 early in the third quarter, momentum seemed to shift. But the favorites from Bratislava bounced back immediately and opened up a double-digit gap again that was still in place with five minutes to go in the fourth (68-81).

In crunch time, however, the Miners found another gear at both ends of the floor. First, Keith Jordan finished through loads of contact to make it 70-81 but was denied the additional free throw. Then Daishon Smith took a charge on defense and was fouled on his own three-point attempt seconds later, making it 73-81. Jordan with the spectacular block on R.J. Gunn’s fade-away, transition three Marc Loving, 76-81, crowd going bananas. On the next offense, it is Loving with the mid-post assist for Jordan Johnson’s trifecta, 79-81. C.J. Jackson’s contested layup, 81-81. And finally, Johnson’s and Smith’s free-throws for BC’s first lead of the entire game (84-81).

Caruthers then converted two free-throws for Inter’s only two points in the final five minutes, testament to Prievidza’s terrific defense down the stretch. And after Jackson’s missed dagger three, it is Daishon Smith with his 13th(!) rebound of the night who denies the guests the chance at a buzzer-beating game-winner and secures the victory for the home team.

Photo: Vladimír Králik