UNICS defeated CSKA in WINLINE Game of the Week at home – 76:75 (18:21, 23:18, 19:22, 16:14).
Game progress
Marcus Bingham received the MVP of October award before the start of the game and rushed to confirm this title from the very first minutes. Bingham and Jalen Reynolds scored 25 points combined in the first half. CSKA kept pace with Melo Trimble efforts (14 points, 3 of 5 free-pointers made before the halftime) and was much more careful with the ball (2-8 in turnovers).
UNICS came out of the break more focused and quickly increased their lead from +2 to +11. In a difficult situation, the Moscow team once again relied on leader. Trimble restored the guests lead before the final quarter.
Key moment
The rivalry between Trimble and UNICS’ bigmen was decisive in the final quarter and transfered the game into clutch. Alexey Shved put the hosts ahead with 2 free throws with 8 seconds left. The Kazan team had good defense, but Bingham rushed his celebration and gave the guests another possession in the last second. Tonye Jekiri missed the shot for the win.
X-factor
In a low-scoring game, only 3 players finished with double-digit points. UNICS’ frontcourt (Bingham and Reynolds) scored 46 points and led their team to win.
Facts
Andrey Lopatin played his 200th game in the VTB League.
UNICS extended its winning streak in regular season home games (14).
Melo Trimble (33 points) set a career-high and repeated the second-best in VTB League.
Leaders
UNICS: Jalen Reynolds (23 + 8 rebounds), Marcus Bingham (23 + 9 rebounds)
CSKA: Melo Trimble (33)
What’s next
UNICS: November 19 at home against Enisey
CSKA: November 23 at home versus Zenit.
