CSKA defeated Lokomotiv Kuban in the Game of the Week on the road – 88:84 (18:18, 22:16, 22:19, 26:31).
Game progress
The Moscow team could let Zenit take the top place in case of lose. So the guests started the game cautiously and tried to keep Loko from past-paced basketball. The first half was tight. By the middle of the second quarter, the the lead had changed 12 times, but just before the halftime Tonye Jekiri started a 12:4 run. The Moscow team finished the first half leading by 6 points – 40:34.
Dmitrii Uzinskii started Loko comeback at the beginning of the third quarter. However, Andreas Pistiolis team took advantage of the hosts’ turnovers and missed shots and guests increased the difference even more by the start of the final quarter – 62:53.
Key moment
The start of the fourth quarter was discouraging for Loko: CSKA lead had reached 18 points, which seemed like confident difference. But Loko began to cut the deficit and trailed by 4 points with 20 seconds before the end.
The final seconds of the game stretched into several minutes. Kirill Temirov made 2 free throws and gave the hosts last chance – 84:81. But Melo Trimble replied with 2 points, and Vladislav Emchenko missed three-pointer was the last action of the hosts. CSKA gets the win and continues to lead the standings.
X-factor
Although both teams committed 35 fouls each, Loko players fouled more often on their opponents’ shots (32 CSKA free throws against 26 for the Cubans).
Facts
70 fouls for two teams are the United League all-time high. 6 players (3 each for Loko and CSKA) were unable to finish the game due to fouls, with Ivan Ukhov played only 7 minutes to pick up 5 fouls.
CSKA ties the score in season series versus Loko.
The League leader in wins among current coashed Andreas Pistiolis (82.4%) beat runner-up Andrei Vedischev (75%).
Leaders
Lokomotiv Kuban: Tahjere McCall (21 + 3 steals), Antonius Cleveland (16), Patrick Miller (13 + 3 steals) Kirill Temirov (10), Andrei Martiuk (8 + 7 rebounds).
CSKA: Melo Trimble (19 + 5 assists), Aleksa Avramovic (17), Casper Ware (16), Amath M’Baye (11 + 5 rebounds), Tonye Jekiri (10).
What’s next
Lokomotiv Kuban: March 22 on the road versus UNICS.
CSKA: March 22 at home against MBA-MAI.
