Zenit beat Samara at home – 92:61 (23:13, 19:15, 22:18, 28:15).
Game progress
Samara starting center Ilia Popov got 2 fouls already in the 2nd minute of the quarter and went to the bench. Zenit forward Dwayne Bacon got a strong start, scoring 7 of 11 Zenit points, forcing Drazen Anzulovic to take a timeout.
Both teams tried to play quick transition and avoid long positional possessions. The high pace was convenient for the hosts, as the guests made 7 turnovers and trailed by 10 after first quarter – 13:23.
The guests began to handle the ball carefully, rebounded more and tied the game. But Trent Frazier made 2 three-pointers in a row before halftime and increased his team’s lead to 14 points.
Key moment
Frazier became a player, who changed the game. In the third quarter, Zenit began to score long0range shots. The hosts made 5 three-pointers during the stretch and continued in the last quarter. Xavier Moon made his first field-goal only in the final quarter and got 10 more points in a short time.
Good three-point shooting opened up space in the paint and Alex Poythress used it. The high pace led to high number of turnovers (14-15). Toward the end of the game, forward Igor Volkhin joined his teammates in three-point scoring. The game start was equal, but at the end the score difference reached 31 points.
X-factor
Zenit had great three-point shooting in the second half (60.9%, 14 of 23). 10 players made at least 1 three-pointer.
Facts
The rivalry history score is 5-0. Prior to this game, the average score difference was 22.5 points.
Vince Hunter scored his 1,500th point in the VTB United League (1,509).
Leaders
Zenit: Dwayne Bacon (15), Trent Frazier (13), Alex Poythress (12 + 5 rebounds), Xavier Moon (11 + 5 rebounds + 5 assists), Vince Hunter (10 + 5 steals).
Samara: Ronnie Harrell (14), Brendan Adams (11).
What’s next
Zenit: November 3 on the road against Lokomotiv Kuban.
Samara: November 3 on the road versus Enisey.
