Avtodor beat Runa in Moscow – 85:82 (20:25, 20:15, 19:27, 26:15).
Game progress
The Saratov team couldn’t find a key to Runa defense for a long time and scored their first points only 2:30 minutes after the game start. The hosts offense was better – 2 long-range shots and Juwan Morgan and-one helped the Moscow team to take a double-digit lead – 15:5. Malik Newman managed to refresh the game. The American guard scored 14 points and helped the guests to take a 4-point lead by the middle of the second quarter. But Jeremiah Hill three-pointer tied the score by the halftime – 40:40.
The Vikings started the second half with three-pointers and made a 15:6 run. The Saratov team tried to use bigmen, but the Moscow team defense forced to make difficult shots at the end of the possession. Runa confidently scored points and maintained lead before the final quarter – 67:59.
Key moment
Erturul Erdogan gave Hill and Morgan a break at the start of the fourth quarter, the guests took advantage of it. Avtodor made 3 long-range shots in 2 minutes and took a lea – 72:70. The hosts coaching staff took a timeout and brought the leaders back, but that didn’t stop the Volga team offense. Newman continued to score shots and made assists, while Rayshawn Hammonds and Sindarius Thornwell forced opponents to make mistakes in the paint.
With 30 seconds left, Runa was behind by 4 points, but Morgan missed his shots and the Saratov team fastbreak put the game out of reach. Milenko Bogicevic team did not let the difference away and got 7th win in a row.
X-factor
The Saratov team demonstrated high three-point percentage once again – 10 of 22. The Volga team’s 4 long-range shots helped to change the game in the final quarter.
Fact
Juwan Morgan and Malik Newman led their teams’ offense today and set new career-highs.Runa forward scored 23 points and 10 rebounds. Avtodor guard scored 34 points, surpassing his 30-point performance against Loko, and helped the Volga team extend the winning streak.
Newman also had the most efficient as the Saratov team player since 2019 (43 eff. points). Trae Golden holds team all-time high with 52 eff. points.
Leaders
Runa: Juwan Morgan (23 + 10 rebounds), Jeremiah Hill (20), Nikola Ivanovic (17 + 5 assists).
Avtodor: Malik Newman (34 + 5 rebounds), Rayshawn Hammonds (20 + 7 rebounds), Dominic Mavra (11 + 7 assists).
What’s next
Runa (12-19): March 14 at home versus Astana
Avtodor (16-16): March 21 at home against Samara.
