MBA-MAI defeated Astana at home – 75:61 (21:17, 17:12, 19:10, 18:22).
Game progress
At the start of the game, both teams built offense around mid-range shots and drives into the paint. Astana responded to the hosts actions with pick-and-rolls. After winning the first quarter, MBA-MAI was close to a double-digit lead after 2 consecutive three-pointers by Makar Konovalov, but 8 points by Grigory Motovilov and Daniel Utomi equalised the game. Vasily Karasev team was only able to strengthen the lead at the end of the quarter with a 7:2 run by halftime – 38:29.
Astana had trouble in offense at the start of third quarter. The guests scored only 6 points in 7 minutes, missing a double-digit run by MBA-MAI. As a result, the score difference reached 20 points, and the Kazakh team had no energy left to attempt a comeback.
The Moscow team continued to get rebounds and made shots, which allowed to get first win in the last 5 games.
X-factor
An important reason for the hosts win was the rebounding. The Moscow team got 15 offensive rebounds compared to only 7 by the guests.
Facts
Vasily Karasev got his 50th win as head coach of MBA-MAI. It took the Russian specialist 118 games to make it to achievement.
MBA-MAI ended 4-game losing streak.
Andrey Zubkov made a double-double (18 points and 15 rebounds) and became the League leader in games with 15+ rebounds. The Russian forward has already had 3 such games.
Leaders
MBA-MAI: Andrey Zubkov (18 + 15 rebounds), Danil Pevnev (17), Makar Konovalov (10).
Astana: Galin Smith (12), Daniel Utomi (11 + 6 rebounds), Grigory Motovilov (10 + 6 assists).
What’s next
Samara: April 3 at home against Zenit
Astana: April 2 on the road versus Lokomotiv-Kuban
