Astana defeated Samara at home – 75:67 (16:24, 24:15, 17:15, 18:13)
Game progress
Gleb Goldyrev started the game with making 4 of 4 three-pointers. Ivan Pynko added 8 points off the bench. Their efforts gave the guests an early double-digit lead, which didn’t last until the end of the quarter. Astana made a 7:0 run and managed to get back into the game. The hosts continued after the small break. The quarter was contested. In the final seconds, Astana mounted a quick attack, Vadim Scherbak made difficult shot for the lead (40:39). The Kazakh team won the 1st half of the game for the second time in the season. The hosts were led by Grigory Motovilov (12 points) and Rustam Murzagaliev (11).
Key moment
Motovilov also scored in the 3rd quarter, repeating his career-high 19 points by the end of the quarter. His efforts allowed the team to maintain the lead and even increase it in the final quarter. The guests scored 2 points in 8 minutes, allowing the hosts to finish the game with a comfortable double-digit advantage after trailing by 15 points in the first quarter.
X-factor
Grigory Motovilov set career-high 23 Points for Astana with 9 of 16 field-goal made and 2 of 6 three-pointers. He also had 9 assists and 5 rebounds. Motovilov finished the game with 34 eff. points.
Facts
Astana ended 27-game losing streak, the second longest in VTB League history. The Kazakh team last win also was against Samara last April.
Samara now has the longest current losing streak (11).
Gleb Goldyrev set new career-high 19 points with 7 of 8 field-goals made and 5 of 6 three-pointers.
Leaders
Astana: Grigory Motovilov (23 + 5 rebounds + 9 assists), Daniel Utomi (13 + 8 rebounds), Rustam Murzagaliev (11).
Samara: Gleb Goldyrev (19), Anton Kardanakhishvili (14 + 8 assists), Ivan Pynko (13 + 7 rebounds).
What’s next
Astana: February 1 at home against MBA-MAI
Samara: February 1 at home versus PARMA.
