CSKA defeated Pari Nizhny Novgorod on the road – 74:72 (16:21, 20:21, 19:12, 19:18).

Game progress
Pari Nizhny Novgorod focused on three-pointers from the start. Aleksa Novakovic made 15 points in the first half. CSKA responded with points in the paint, but Zoran Lukic team managed to keep the lead before the third quarter – 42:36.

Pari NN started the second half with 6 straight missed shots and CSKA equalized the score with Anton Astapkovic and Livio Jean-Charles assistance.

Key moment
At the start of the final quarter, Melo Trimble made 2 free throws and gave CSKA the lead for the first time since the first quarter – 58:56. Nizhny immediately responded with 10 straight points by Aleksandr Gankevich and Sergey Zotkin and Emil Rajkovic responded with a timeout. This pause paid off: CSKA made a 9-0 run and regained the lead.

With 50 seconds left, Amath M’Baye gave the guests a 3-point lead. After Lukic timeout, Evgenii Baburin missed three-pointer. Casper Ware made free throws, Zotkin scored three-pointer at the buzzer but it didn’t help the Volga team.

X-factor
Nizhny had played without leaders – Bryon Allen, Glenn Cosey and Andrey Vorontsevich. The hosts lacked experience in a tense ending.

Fact
Aleksa Novakovic made 6 three-pointers (12 attempts) to repeat his third best performance of the season in the League. Xavier Rathan-Mayes made 8 threes in October and leads the League in this.

20-year-old guard Sergey Zotkin had his best game of his career: 20 points and 7 assists.

Leaders
Pari Nizhny Novgorod: Aleksa Novakovic (24 + 8 rebounds), Sergey Zotkin (20 + 7 assists), Aleksandr Gankevich (10).
CSKA: Anton Astapkovic (18), Amath M’Baye (13 + 6 rebounds), Livio Jean-Charles (12 + 5 rebounds), Melo Trimble (11 + 5 turnovers).

What’s next
Pari Nizhny Novgorod (3-9): December 1 at home versus MINSK
CSKA (12-1) : December 3 on the road against Astana.