Lokomotiv Kuban defeated Uralmash at home – 91:80 (21:26, 26:20, 18:20, 26:14).
Game progress
Both teams started the game efficiently and managed to score 10 points each. Uralmash managed to take the lead, but 2 long-range shots by Mikhail Vedischev forced Rostislav Vergun to take a timeout. After a minute break Uralmash made a 9:0 run and for the first time in the game had a double-digit lead – 37:27. Now Loko head coach had to take a break and was able to get the team back on track. Isaiah Whaley blocks and Patrick Miller’s power drives into the paint helped the hosts to take the lead by the halftime – 47:46.
In the third quarter, the lead has changed 4 times, but the guests had minimal advantage just before last quarter – 67:66.
Key moment
In the middle of the final quarter, the guests had problems in offense and couldn’t score for 4 minutes. The Krasnodar team responded with a 12:0 run led by Andrei Martiuk. First, the center scored 4 points and made a block, then couple of offensive rebounds and put B.J. Johnson in for a three-pointer. After that long-range shot the score differential was double-digit, and the Yekaterinburg team had no time or energy left for a comeback. Loko got 7th straight win.
X-factor
An important reason for Loko success was defense in the fourth quarter once again. The Krasnodar team allowed the opposing team to score only 6 points in the last 7 minutes, also made 3 blocks and 2 steals.
Facts
With his 7th straight win to start the season, Andrey Vedischev repeated the result of Vladimir Rodionov, who also started the VTB League with 7 wins. This is the best result in history among Russian coaches.
The Krasnodar team won the fourth period by double-digit for the second consecutive game. Loko outscored the Yekaterinburg team 26:14, and had 26:9 against Samara.
Leaders
Lokomotiv Kuban: Patrick Miller (17 + 6 assists + 5 rebounds), Andrei Martiuk (14 + 7 rebounds), B.J. Johnson (13), Isaiah Whaley (12 + 8 rebounds), Mikhail Vedischev (10).
Uralmash: Jeremiah Martin (19 + 7 rebounds), Tyrell Nelson (19 + 6 rebounds), Stanley Whittaker (15).
What’s next
Lokomotiv Kuban: October 20 at home against UNICS.
Uralmash: October 21 at home versus Zenit.
