DUBAI: Dubai Basketball edged out seven-time ABA League champions Partizan Mozzart Bet in Game 2 of the semi-finals 鈥� winning the pivotal clash 100-95 in the final five minutes of overtime to square the series.

Dubai welcomed Serbian powerhouse Partizan Mozzart Bet to Coca-Cola Arena on Thursday night after a shock loss in Belgrade in the first leg of the semi-final. Needing a win to keep their league ambitions alive, Dubai Basketball were set for what would be one of their best games this season.

In a stark contrast from the first game of the semis, Dubai Basketball kept Partizan on edge with unrelenting momentum and strong defensive tactics. Praising Dubai鈥檚 response, Partizan coach Zeljko Obradovic spoke about the intensity of playing Dubai at home.

鈥淲e knew they would try to be aggressive here (in Dubai), and they were,鈥� he said.

Dubai鈥檚 physicality and determination were evident from the start of the first quarter. Holding a narrow three-point lead in the second quarter, the team gained confidence as they landed crucial three-pointers, pushing ahead into the second half. However, Partizan quickly retaliated, with American guard Carlik Jones and Belgian international Frank Ntilikina making an early impact and keeping the contest tight.

Leading by example for Dubai was captain and Man of the Match Klemen Prepelic. The Slovenian shooting guard has often been praised for his role in the debutant team, but his performance on Thursday night outshone his previous milestones for the team.

Prepelic, the night鈥檚 top scorer, contributed 30 points, three rebounds and one assist. Only one other Dubai Basketball member came close to these stats, with Nate Mason鈥檚 perfectly executed free throws in the last 14 seconds of regulation time leveling the score and forcing Partizan into overtime.

Praising the team鈥檚 resilience, Dubai Basketball head coach Jurica Golemac said: 鈥淚鈥檓 very proud. We didn鈥檛 surrender; we didn鈥檛 give up. You could see it in the players 鈥� the emotions in their eyes. We didn鈥檛 want the season to end, and that was obvious.鈥�

With more than 7,000 fans in attendance, Dubai looked more confident than ever in the extra period. Spurred on by the home crowd, they secured the final points of the night and sealed a crucial win to force a deciding third game in Belgrade on Sunday.

鈥淥ur defence was unbelievable today,鈥� Golemac added. 鈥淚 had the feeling there were 10,000 people inside 鈥� breathing and playing the game with us. They wanted to succeed just like we did.鈥�

Dubai Basketball now head to Serbia for the semi-final showdown, one step away from a place in the ABA League finals 鈥� marking an already historic debut season for the team with a second home win against one of Europe鈥檚 most decorated clubs.