MINSK defeated Astana at home – 60:58 (21:14, 15:18, 17:11, 7:15).
Game progress
In addition to Jared Ogunbemi-Jackson, who left the team, MINSK didn’t have Zach Smith. In the absence of their leaders, Jakob Chebashek and Grigory Motovilov took the lead in the opening quarter. Rebounds allowed the Belarusian team to get the lead – 21:14.
In the second quarter, a zone defense helped Astana to slow down the opponent offense. The guests focused on three-pointers and they helped well. After several long-range shots, the Kazakh team managed to tie the score – 32:32. But the hosts were able to get back the lead and held it by the halftime – 36:32.
In the third quarter, the teams struggled to score points. Benjamin-Pavel Dudu was the real joker for the hosts. 2 long-range shots allowed MINSK to take a double-digit lead for the first time in the game – 47:37.
Key moment
In the final quarter the guests managed to organize a comeback. After Markell Johnson three-pointer, the score was tied again – 55:55. The fate of the game was finally decided only in the end. Karvel Anderson tried to take the game into overtime, but missed a mid-range shot.
X-factor
The hosts was noticeably better in rebounding (13-5) and had less turnovers (13-14). This allowed MINSK to get 9 extra possessions, which was one of the key factors in tonight’s win in such an equal game.
Fact
MINSK got its first win of the current season. This happened in only the 35th game. This win was also the first in the VTB League for the Belarusian team head coach Aliaksei Sukhavetski.
Karvel Anderson made 2 three-pointers tonight got closer close to the League record for three-pointers made in a season. Anderson now has 102, which is only 1 made shot away from Alexey Shved.
Leaders
MINSK: Grigory Motovilov (12 + 7 rebounds + 5 assists), Jovan Sljivancanin (12 + 6 rebounds + 6 assists), Jakob Cebasek (11 + 8 rebounds).
Astana: Markell Johnson (25), Jordan Skipper-Brown (7 + 14 rebounds + 5 blocks).
What’s next
MINSK (1-34): March 31 on the road against Uralmash
Astana (12-23): March 31 on the road versus Avtodor.
