climax at home; Golnoor grounded Naft Zagros in Isfahan with a spectacular comeback
Golnoor Isfahan basketball team, in one of the most exciting games of this Premier League season, defeated South Zagros Oil and Gas 96–92 in overtime after an 80–80 tie in regular time, continuing its upward trajectory more powerfully than before.
Golnoor, which had distanced itself from the early-season crisis with several consecutive wins and moved back among the contenders in the upper half of the table, hosted South Zagros Oil and Gas in Week 10 of the Iran Men's Basketball Premier League; a prepared and ambitious team that had entered Isfahan in high spirits after a valuable win last week in Jahrom.
The combination of different motivations—Golnoor looking to consolidate its position and South Zagros looking to move closer to the top—had turned this match into one of the most important games of the week; a clash between a team on the rise and a team seeking to prove its power.
Stormy start for Golnoor; advantage in the first quarter
Hamidreza Shams's pupils began the match offensively and with high focus. Golnoor built a double-digit lead in the opening minutes. Although the gap narrowed, the host closed the first quarter 22–18 in its favor.
First half; preserving the lead in a fluctuating game
Golnoor also started the second quarter well but, like the first quarter, did not fully hold its advantage and conceded the quarter 21–19 to the visitors. Nevertheless, the Isfahan side went to halftime with a 41–39 lead.
Second half; South Zagros comeback and Golnoor resistance
The third quarter was tense and fluctuating throughout. South Zagros Oil and Gas briefly went ahead, but the host regained control. Although Golnoor lost the quarter 21–20, overall until the end of the third quarter Shams's team was ahead 61–60.
Fourth quarter; breathless basketball until the final buzzer
The fourth quarter was the most spectacular part of regulation; a chess-like battle full of mistakes, comebacks, and missed opportunities. Golnoor led by 3 to 4 points at times, but South Zagros worked hard to level the score, sending the match into overtime tied 80–80.
Overtime; great comeback and celebration of victory in Isfahan
In overtime, Golnoor appeared with energy, focus, and exemplary teamwork. Mature attacks and solid defense by Shams's pupils allowed the host to manage the extra period well at 16–12 and ultimately celebrate one of the most important wins of the season with a 96–92 result.
First showing of Marko Provic; duel of golden-generation stars
Golnoor's new signing Marko Provic had a promising performance in his first appearance. Also, the duel between Mohammad Jamshidi of South Zagros and Aran Davoodi of Golnoor—two enduring figures of Iran's golden generation of basketball—added special appeal to this match.