Zenit defeated Uralmash in St. Petersburg – 82:74 (28:21, 15:18, 13:17, 13:17, 26:18).
Game progress
Motivated by a convincing win in the Game 1, Zenit had an 8-point lead at the start of the game, but Uralmash quickly recovered. The guests 4 of the 5 starting 5 players scored. Thanks to that, the Yekaterinburg team didn’t let the opponent the whole first quarter. But with team leaders on the bench, the hosts made a 12:0 run, which made the difference double-digit – 37:26.
The guests coaching staff brought the stars back, after that Zenit wasn’t able to score a single point in 3 minutes. Ellis and Tyrell Nelson provoked the opponent to make fouls and made shots from the paint, gradually cutting the deficit. Uralmash trauled by 4 at the halftime – 43:39.
In the third quarter, the Yekaterinburg team continued to play positional basketball, regularly forcing the hosts to make shots at the end of possessions. Uralmash used bigmen, which allowed to tie the game before the final quarter – 56:56.
Key moment
The teams weren’t managed to create a comfortable lead by the end. Zenit led 3 minutes before the end – 68:66. Thomas Heurtel played a decisive role in last possessions. First, the French guard scored 5 points in a row, and then made assist to Frazier to an open three-pointer. After that shot, the difference was already 7 points and the Yekaterinburg team had no time left for a comeback.
The St. Petersburg team got a tough win and had a chance to advance in the Semifinals in the next game – 2:0.
X-factor
Zenit was able to get the win with confindent shooting. In the final quarter, the hosts made 6 of 10 two-pointers, and in the last 3 minutes scored 9 of 11 free throws.
Fact
3 players managed to get a double-double in the Quarterfinals Game 2. Thomas Heurtel scored 16 points and had 12 assists, while Vince Hunter made 13 points + 10 rebounds, Garrett Nevels had 12 points + 10 rebounds.
Leaders
Zenit: Thomas Heurtel (16 + 12 assists), Trent Frazier (15), Vince Hunter (13 + 10 rebounds).
Uralmash: Tyrell Nelson (20 + 5 rebounds), Octavius Ellis (18 + 5 rebounds), Garrett Nevels (12 + 10 rebounds).
What’s next
April 27 in Yekaterinburg.
