Uralmash defeated MINSK at home – 104:72 (24:20, 28:18, 22:20, 30:14).
Game progress
The first quarter was equal – at one point MINSK even took the lead, and although the hosts managed to get the initiative back – 24:20. At the start of the second quarter Octavius Ellis gave the hosts an 8:0 run, and as a result Uralmash quickly got comfortable 12-point lead.
The guests attempts to change the game were nearly impossible due to Uralmash’s long-range shooters – the Yekaterinburg team scored 15 points in a row only with long-range shots. The third quarter did not bring any major changes to the game: Uralmash continued to hold a double-digit lead, at times reaching 15-16 points.
Key moment
At the beginning of the final quarter, Uralmash had another run and MINSK defense fell apart, allowing 16 points in less than 3 minutes. The only intrigue was whether Uralmash would be able to improve the best scoring performance this season. Kirill Pisklov was one of the key players of the game and helped to achieve season-high performance. Uralmash got 10th win of the season.
X-factor
Uralmash shooters proved to be at their best. 14 of 26 three-pointers – the team’s sesason-high. Kirill Pisklov set a career-high and had a bright game.
Fact
Rostislav Vergun played agaisnt his former team for the first time today. The Belarusian specialist has been MINSK head coach since January 2019, during which time he won the Belarussian championship 4 times.
The previous season-high in points (101 points) Uralmash set exactly against MINSK exactly 2 months ago – on November 7. In that game MINSK was still led by the current Uralmash coach.
Leaders
Uralmash: Aleksandr Zakharov (20), Octavius Ellis (19 + 7 rebounds), Kirill Pisklov (15 + 7 rebounds), Garrett Nevels (15 + 5 rebounds), Javonte Douglas (11 + 5 assists).
MINSK: Jarred Ogungbemi-Jackson (25), Jakob Cebasek (14)
What’s next
Uralmash (10-10): January 10 on the road against Samara
MINSK (0-20): January 11 on the road versus Zenit
