Montenegro Beat Serbia In Balkan Battle

Eshaya Murphy had a monster game for Montenegro, scoring 26 points and grabbing 15 rebounds.

Montenegro dominated Serbia and won their EuroBasket 2013 Qualification Round Group B opener, 85-68.

Unbeaten in the Final Round in Poland one year ago before falling to Turkey in the Quarter-Finals, the Montenegrins were in top form as they set out to reach next year's tournament in France.

Jelena Dubljevic, Jelena Skerovic and Iva Perovanovic were all key players in last year's team and they had big games in Cetinje on Wednesday.

Dubljevic poured in 18 points and grabbed 14 rebounds and Perovanovic scored 20 while also pulling down 14 boards.

Skerovic, meanwhile, contributed 17 points.

But Montenegro also got a lift from a newcomer, Eshaya Murphy, the player who has taken the naturalized spot on the roster from Anna De Forge.

A EuroLeague Women winner with Ros Casares in April, Murphy had 26 points and 15 rebounds.

Montenegro went on a 13-4 run late in the first quarter to take control of the contest.

Perovanvoic, Dubljevic and Murphy hit jumpers to start the scoring spurt that left the hosts on top, 23-14.

Serbia pulled the deficit back to 39-31 when Ivanka Matic hit a jumper with 1:31 to go in the first half, but Montenegro were on top by nine at the break after Perovanovic split two free-throws.

Montenegro lowered the boom in the third quarter, outscoring Serbia 24-13 for a commanding 64-44 lead.

A 9-0 run saw Serbia trail 72-60 but they got no closer.

Montenegro were an efficient 37 of 68 (54.4%) from the floor while Serbia made 29 of 64 (45.3%).

Quotes Montenegro vs. Serbia

Montenegro player Jelena Dubljevic:
"We knew that the match will be very difficult and we are not accustomed to the aggressive play by Serbia in the defense. We played against a team that does not give up and plays at a high level all 40 minutes, but as time went on, we have proved our quality and togetherness that characterized us all these years. It is very difficult, not only because the oppontent was Serbia, but also due to the fact that we had to justify the expectations of the nation and ourselves. Most important is that we got the win, but this is just the beginning. I hope that Montenegro and also Serbia will play in the EuroBasket Women."

Serbia coach Marina Maljkovic:
"Montenegro has played a great match. This shoul not be an excuse, but you have to understand that we are a team that is still being developed. We were quite nervous and it has deterred us from playing at our level."

Serbia player Tamara Radocaj:
"I want to congratulate the team of Montenegro on the victory. They were better than us in all aspects of the game, while we have not complied with some of our agreements. We will continue to struggle, to try to correct errors and to achieve a victory in the upcoming match."