Zenit beat Avtodor in St.Petersburg – 103:86 (26:24, 23:23, 25:21, 29:18).
Game progress
The start of the game was equal, there were 8 lead changes in the first quarter. Zenit led before the second quarter, with Omari Spellman (12 points per quarter) leading the way. However, the Saratov team got first big lead. After a series of long-range shots, Avtodor lead reached 8 points – 35:27. However, Xavier Pascual got his players back on track in a timeout. The St. Petersburg team equalized the game, and despite the opponents 10 three-pointers made, the hosts had the lead by the halftime – 49:47.
Key moment
In the second half, the speed slowed down considerably as the teams played positionally and regularly got to the free-throw line. In the middle of the second half, Zenit made a 12-0 run, which was led by Georgy Zhbanov. The guard made 2 steals and scored 8 points in 3 minutes. The difference became double-digit for the first time, and Avtodor players Jamal Jones and Vitalius Pranauskis got fouled out. After that, the Saratov team had no energy left for a comeback, allowing the hosts to take the second straight home win.
X-factor
Georgy Zhbanov played an important role in Zenit win. Coming into the game from the bench, the guard made key contribution both in offense and defense. Georgy made 2 blocks and had 4 steals, while on offense his long-range shots triggered a decisive run for Zenit.
Facts
Zenit managed to score 100 points in 2 consecutive games for the first time in 6 seasons. The last time the St. Petersburg team got this achievement in the 2018-19 season. Back then, Zenit first defeated PARMA (107:78) and then beat Nizhny Novgorod (103:78).
The teams scored a combined 96 points in 20 minutes. The previous achievement was set by Samara and Uralmash (93 points).
The teams also set season-high 23 three-pointers.Notably, both Zenit and Avtodor shot above 45% (47% and 46%).
Leaders
Zenit: Dwayne Bacon (23), Omari Spellman (21), Xavier Moon (16 + 7 assists + 5 rebounds), Georgiy Zhbanov (16), Alex Poythress (12).
Avtodor: Bryant Crawford (21), Egor Kuleshov (14), Dusan Beslac (12 + 5 rebounds), Aleksandr Petenev (12).
What’s next
Zenit: September 29 on the road against UNICS.
Avtodor: September 28 on the road versus Pari Nizhny Novgorod.
