Zenit defeated Avtodor on the road – 75:62 (20:15, 23:9, 27:16, 5:22).
Game progress
The St. Petersburg team took the lead early in the game. Trent Frazier made Zenit’s lead double digits for the first time – 15:5. The hosts managed to recover, at one point took the initiative and even reduced the deficit.
The end of the second quarter was again dictated by the guests. A powerful 15-2 run allowed Aleksander Sekulic team to get a comfortable 19-point lead by halftime – 43-24.
Key moment
During the third quarter, Zenit’s lead was 30 points. But at the start of the final quarter, Avtodor managed to revive the game. A 19-point run by the hosts more than halved the deficit – 54:70! But the Volga team didn’t have the strength left for a final push. The St. Petersburg team was able to freeze the game and took the win.
X-factor
Aleksander Sekulic guessed right with his starting five. The starting players scored 59 of the team’s 75 points and created the lead that saved Zenit in the final quarter.
Facts
Zenit retained third place in the standings with today’s win. Avtodor got 4th consecutive loss.
The Saratov team has lost 7 of last 8 home games. The only win at in the last 2 months was against Uralmash at the end of December.
Alen Hadzibegovic took first place in the season in double-doubles. Today’s double-double was the 6th for Avtodor center.
Leaders
Avtodor: Pavel Zemskii (17 + 5 rebounds), Vitalius Pranauskis (15 + 9 assists), Alen Hadzibegovic (12 + 10 rebounds), Daniil Kasko (7 + 12 rebounds)
Zenit: Levi Randolph (18 + 5 rebounds), Andrei Martiuk (11 + 7 rebounds), Andre Roberson (11 + 7 rebounds), Trent Frazier (11)
What’s next
Avtodor: January 17 on the road versus Pari NN
Zenit: January 14 at home against Pari NN.
