Moscow’s CSKA defeated Vladivostok’s Dynamo on the road, 103–88 (29–24, 26–17, 26–22, 22–25).
Main Story
The game in Vladivostok was a historic event—the city’s first-ever VTB United League game. The home team tried to keep the reigning champions on their toes throughout the first half. However, the Muscovites’ high level of skill allowed them to seize the initiative and head into halftime with a comfortable lead (55–41).
The Clutch Moment
In the third quarter, CSKA came close to decisively solidifying its lead, but with 5 minutes remaining in the 3QT, Dynamo went on a powerful 15–0 run and reignited the suspense. After a timeout, the Muscovites picked up the pace and mounted a counter-run, relying on Samson Ruzhentsev, who was on a roll. In the end, the visitors managed to regain a comfortable lead and confidently close out the game with a victory, surpassing the 100-point mark.
X-Factor
Samson Ruzhentsev’s performance. The Army team’s guard scored 23 points with a perfect three-point shooting performance (5-for-5) and earned an efficiency rating of 29. For Ruzhentsev, this was his best performance of the current season.
Interesting Facts
The return of big-time basketball: Vladivostok had been absent from the elite for 13 long years—since the 2012–2013 season.
The historic debut game drew a full house at the Fetisov Arena.
The game in Vladivostok was marked by the debut for CSKA of star rookie Amath M’Baye, who returned midway through the season and joined the Red-and-Blues’ rotation today.
CSKA solidified its position at the top of the standings, remaining the only team in the regular season with an undefeated record (4-0).
Press Conference
Dynamo Head Coach Sergei Kozin:
– First and foremost, I want to thank our fans. There was an incredible atmosphere in the arena today! Let me put it this way: it was the fans who helped us get back into the game when we were trailing by 20–24 points.
I told my team that we couldn’t give up—we had to keep fighting. We needed to make two or three strong defensive possessions, transition into fast breaks, and make our shots. Basically, we did that and managed to cut the deficit to eight points. Unfortunately, at a certain point, we made mistakes on offense and turned the ball over while transitioning from defense to offense. In some situations, we needed to play smarter—pass the ball earlier or make the better shot selection.
But the main thing is that the team didn’t give up. We were able to get back into the game, and I think we were just a little short on experience down the stretch. At times, we gave up unnecessary help on defense, allowing our opponents to make crucial three-pointers. Unfortunately, CSKA managed to pull away in the closing minutes. But I can see that we’re moving in the right direction. Over the past week, we’ve had the opportunity to train fully thanks to the break between games. The guys are training great, and I’m confident that we’ll only continue to grow as a team and raise the level of our play.
CSKA Center Livio Jean-Charles:
– It turned out to be a tough game. Our opponent played very well and proved they’re capable of fighting until the very end. If we had lost our focus or failed to take the game seriously, Dynamo could very well have gotten back into it.
The trip to Vladivostok? It really was quite the journey! The trip was pretty tough, but that’s part of our job. Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to explore the city and see its sights. However, we did get to see the Pacific Ocean, and that’s definitely something we’ll remember. Moments like that really stick with you!
Top Performers
Dynamo: Jalen Blackmon (19 points), Nate Pollard (18 points + 10 rebounds), Isaiah Crowley (16 points + 15 rebounds)
CSKA: Samson Ruzhentsev (23 points), Livio Jean-Charles (18 points + 10 rebounds), Melo Trimble (12 points + 9 assists)
Up Next
Dynamo: October 17, away against BETCITY PARMA.
CSKA: October 17, away against Enisey.
Condensed Game
Highlights:
