Avtodor defeated Pari Nizhny Novgorod – 81:74 (19:27, 28:17, 20:12, 14:18).
Game progress
Both teams started the first quarter with 11 points combined. Malik Newman and Rayshawn Hammonds led the hosts, Aleksandr Chadov and Uladzislau Blizniuk responded with 17 points and gave Nizhny an early lead – 27:19. Brandon Garrett helped the Saratov team to take the lead. The forward scored quick 6 points off the bench and provoked a 14:3 run that put the hosts in the lead – 33:30. But after Zoran Lukic timeout, Pari NN was able to get game control back. Milenko Bogicevic team led by the same 3 points by the halftime – 47:44.
At the beginning of the second half, Hammonds and Garrett each got 4 fouls and went to the bench. But the Saratov team continued to build the lead without bigmen. Three-pointers helped Avtodor take an 8-point lead midway through the third quarter, and Dominic Mavra made the hosts lead double-digit for the first time in the game before the last quarter – 67:56.
Key moment
At the start of the final quarter, the hosts lead reached 15 points, but Nizhny Novgorod was able to make a comeback. Blizniuk and Ivan Strebkov three-pointers cut the guests’ lead to 2 points – 74:72. Hammonds had 5th foul, so Newman took the lead. The guard first made a three-pointer, and then gave an assist to Dusan Beslac. Avtodor took a lead, and Nizhny had no time left for a comeback. The Saratov team got the 6th consecutive win in a tense ending.
X-factor
Despite problems with fouls, the Saratov team got 7 more offensive rebounds than the opponent (15 vs. 8). The hosts were able to make 6 rebounds in offense in the last quarter, which helped to score important second-chance points and win.
Fact
Avtodor got 10th win over Nizhny Novgorod in the rivalry hisotry. The Saratov team tie the score in the head-to-head games with Pari NN – 10:10.
Leaders
Avtodor: Malik Newman (20), Dominic Mavra (16 + 5 assists), Rayshawn Hammonds (13 + 9 rebounds), Dusan Beslac (11 +11 rebounds).
Pari Nizhny Novgorod: Uladzislau Blizniuk (21), Aleksandr Chadov (19), Aleksandr Gankevich (13 + 5 rebounds).
What’s next
Avtodor (15-16): March 14 on the road against Runa
Pari Nizhny Novgorod (10-22): March 20 at home versus MINSK.
