Lokomotiv Kuban defeated Zenit in St. Petersburg 83:76 (17:15, 15:19, 23:20, 28:22).
Game progress
The 2 best scoring teams of the regular season had played in the Game of the Week. Fans expected an open game with offensive focus. However, the teams started cautiously. The guests got within 5-7 points several times, but Zenit quickly handled such activities. At the start of the second quarter, the St. Petersburg team tied the score and then took the lead with Xavier Moon help. The guests couldn’t handle the drives in the paint by Vince Hunter and Alex Poythress. Zenit couldn’t build a comfortable lead, the difference was 2 points at the halftime – 34:32.
The hosts led throughout the third quarter. However, shortly before the end, Loko began to gradually cut the difference. An 8:1 run in the final 2 minutes of the quarter allowed to take the lead before fourth quarter – 55:54.
Key moment
Zenit picked up the pace midway through the final quarter, 2 three-pointers by Moon and Omari Spellman forced Loko to comeback. Andrey Vedischev team responded with 2 long-range shots and Antonius Cleveland shined at the end of the game. Loko guard scored 8 points in a 1.5 minute, denying Xavier Pascual team any chance of at least overtime. The Krasnodar team continued the winning streak.
X-factor
The Krasnodar team got to the free-throw line less often than the opponent, but showed perfect percentage (18 of 18). Zenit lost 5 points due to missed free-throws.
Facts
Lokomotiv Kuban is the only team in the League without a single loss – 5 wins in 5 games.
Zenit failed to score 80 point or more for the first time this season. The team headed the list of the best offensive teams in the League.
Xavier Moon set new career-high 26 points and 33 eff. points in the VTB League.
Leaders
Zenit: Xavier Moon (26), Omari Spellman (13), Dwayne Bacon (11), Vince Hunter (7 + 9 rebounds + 4 steals).
Lokomotiv Kuban: Patrick Miller (19 + 5 rebounds + 9 assists + 5 steals), Antonius Cleveland (17), Andrei Martyuk (12 + 9 rebounds + 3 blocks), Isaiah Whaley (9 + 10 rebounds), B.J. Johnson (7 + 5 rebounds).
What’s next
Zenit: October 9 at home versus Pari Nizhny Novgorod
Lokomotiv Kuban: October 12 at home against Samara.
