Zenit beat Avtodor at home – 86:85 (23:18, 21:22, 16:25, 26:20).
Game progress
Zenit started with 2 three-pointers, and then Trent Frazier 8 points allowed the host to take an 11-point lead by the middle of the first quarter – 23:12. Xavier Pascual team played tight defense and allowed Dominic Mavra and Malik Newman to make only 3 of 12 shots from the game. Sindarius Thornwell was responsible for Avtodor offense. The forward scored 10 points, made 4 assists and started the team’s run, which helped Avtodor cut the difference to 4 points by the halftime – 44:40.
At the beginning of the second half, the Saratov team had a 10-point lead with Rayshawn Hammonds play in the paint and three-pointers . Pascual timeout brought the hosts back on track, and by the end of the quarter, Avtodor lead was 5 points – 65:60.
Key moment
Zenit regularly used Vince Hunter as an offensive option, who scored 10 points in the final quarter. But the Saratov team managed to maintain a 5-point lead 1:30 before the end of regulation – 84:79. A long-range Sergey Karasev three-pointer and-one cut the difference to 2 points, and Frazier free throws put the St. Petersburg team ahead 6.8 seconds before the end – 85:84.
Thornwell had 2 free throws attempts, but made only 1, tying the game and leaving the hosts 2 seconds to respond. After another timeout, Hunter was fouled and made decisive free throws. Zenit won in a tense ending and picked up the 3rd win in a row.
X-factor
Vince Hunter played a key role in Zenit’s comeback tonight. The center had his best game of the season, scoring 25 points (10 in the 4th quarter)..
Fact
Both teams had good three-point shots percentage – 11 long-range shots on 22 attempts. Avtodor made 7 three-pointers in the second half, with only 3 misses.
Leaders
Zenit: Vince Hunter (25 + 7 rebounds), Trent Frazier (24), Sergey Karasev (14), Thomas Heurtel (10 + 7 assists).
Avtodor: Rayshawn Hammonds (19 + 8 rebounds), Sindarius Thornwell (19 + 5 assists), Dominic Mavra (11 + 11 assists), Aleksandr Petenev (10 + 7 rebounds).
What’s next
Zenit (16-6): January 20 on the road against UNICS.
Avtodor (9-13): January 20 at home versus Samara.
