Lokomotiv Kuban defeated Samara on the road – 104:63 (30:20, 28:15, 25:13, 21:15).
Game progress
The guests took the lead right from the start. The Krasnodar team played confidently on both ends of the court and steadily increased the lead. The hosts main threat was Mikhail Kulagin, who scored 12 points in the opening quarter. However, high two-point percentage (9 of 12 – 75%) let Loko to finish the quarter with a double-digit lead – 30:20.
The second quarter began with a 7-0 run by Samara. But Tomislav Tomovic team quickly regained and responded with a similar run, reclaiming a comfortable lead. The game then equalised, but Loko began to play more confidently in defense, making several steals and making three-pointers. This allowed to extend the lead and win the first half – 58:35.
At the start of the second half, Samara failed to score for 5 minutes. Loko kept up the pressure and steadily scored against the opponent’s zone defense. The Krasnodar team finished with 6th 100-point game of the season and win.
X-Factor
Loko demonstrated high offensive efficiency. The Krasnodar team made 29 of 41 two-point shots (70%), while Samara made only 12 of 37 (32%).
Facts
Rivlary history score: 11-1, Loko leads. The only time Samara beat Krasnodar tea, in December 2024 (72-71).
Samara remains the only team without a home win—0-16. The last time a team finished the regular season without a home win was in the 2016-17 season, when PARMA went 0-12.
Danila Pochodiaev scored 11 points and surpassed the 1,000 points in VTB League.
Leaders
Samara: Mikhail Kulagin (26), Dmitry Cheburkin (16), Danila Pochodiaev (11 + 6 rebounds)
Lokomotiv Kuban: Vsevolod Ischenko (15 + 9 rebounds), Makar Konovalov (14), Patrick Miller (14 + 6 assists), Mike Moore (14 + 9 rebounds), Danil Sheyanov (12), Vince Hunter (10)
What’s next
Samara: March 30 at home versus Zenit
Lokomotiv Kuban: March 29 on the road against UNICS.
