Pari Nizhny Novgorod defeated Runa at home – 87:82 (14:22, 16:21, 27:20, 30:19).
Game progress
Compared to the last game, 3 new players appeared in Runa starting five. They gave the guests the lead in the opening quarter. Ilia Popov, Aleksa Radanov and Nikola Ivanovic helped the Moscow team to gain a 9-point lead from the start – 9:0.
Nizhny Novgorod managed to equalised the game with Andrey Vorontsevich and Uladzislau Blizniuk help, who scored 12 points combined. But their efforts weren’t enough for a comeback. Long-range shots kept the Volga team close for a long time. But at the end of the second quarter, Nikola Ivanovic and Jeremiah Hill gave Runa back a comfortable lead. The Moscow team had a 13-point lead by the halftime – 43:30.
In the third quarter, Aleksandr Gankevich great play in the paint and three-pointers allowed Nizhny Novgorod to cut the lead to a minimum – 57:58.
Gankevich three-pointers, aggressive offense and tough defense were the key to the Volga team dominance at the start of the final quarter. The guests scored their first points in that stretch only at the end of the fourth minute. By that time Pari NN already had a 7-point lead – 72:65.
Key moment
But this game was not without a nervous ending. A minute before the end after Andrey Sopin three-pointer, the difference was reduced to just 3 points – 82:85. On their next possession, the guests could have tie the score. But Juwan Morgan was missed 2 long-range shots. The Moscow team tried to save the game with tactical fouls. But Volga team guard Ivan Strebkov set the final score by making both free throws.
X-factor
The hosts weres the penultimate in three-point shooting (32.5%). But today long-range shots became the key to Pari NN win. The Volga team made 14 of 31 three-pointers (45.2%).
Fact
Runa is the most convenient opponent for Nizhny Novgorod this season. The Volga team has beaten the Vikings for the fifth time this season – 3 wins in the VTB League and 2 in the Russian Cup.
In today’s game, Aleksandr Gankevich had 2 achievements. The center set a new career-high in points (16 points) and also made his 400th career rebound in the VTB League.
Leaders
Pari Nizhny Novgorod: Evgenii Baburin (19), Andrey Vorontsevich (17 + 7 rebounds), Aleksandr Gankevich (16), Ivan Strebkov (12 + 7 assists), Uladzislau Blizniuk (10 + 5 assists).
Runa: Nikola Ivanovic (16 + 6 assists), Juwan Morgan (16 + 6 rebounds), Jeremiah Hill (15 + 5 assists), Alex Tyus (12 + 6 rebounds), Ilia Popov (10 + 5 rebounds).
What’s next
Pari Nizhny Novgorod (9-21): March 9 at home against Astana
Runa (12-18): March 14 at home against Avtodor.
