CSKA defeated MINSK on the road – 81:61 (25:21, 23:6, 19:12, 14:22).

Game progress

The game started with the hosts 7-point run. 2 minutes after the start, the Moscow team scored. But surprisingly, MINSK led for most of the first quarter. The Army team took the initiative with rotation help. Samson Ruzhentsev, who came off the bench, made several three-pointers, scored 14 points and got his teammates going. The guests turned on the long-range shooting mode and did not fail. CSKA made 9 of 18 three-pointers in the first half – 52:40.

Key moment

At the start of the third quarter after Ivan Ukhov three-pointer, the Army team lead reached 20 – 64:44. The hosts didn’t give up and made a 9-point run, which gave the hope for a comeback – 67:81. The coaches of both teams brought their leaders back, and that stabilized the situation. The guests showed class and brought the game to a convincing win.

X-factor

Samson Ruzhentsev was the key factor that allowed the team to increase the lead in the first half. The forward scored 17 points and set his new season-high.

Fact

9017 fans came to watch the game at Minsk Arena today. This is a new season-high for VTB United League.

Leaders

MINSK: Jarred Ogungbemi-Jackson (20), Aleksandar Zecevic (18 + 7 rebounds), Ivan Aladko (12)

CSKA: Samson Ruzhentsev (17), Amath M’Baye (16), Melo Trimble (14), Anton Astapkovic (12 + 5 rebounds), Tonye Jekiri (10 + 6 rebounds), Livio Jean-Charles (10).

What’s next

MINSK (0-19): January 7 on the road versus Uralmash

CSKA (17-2): January 7 on the road against Samara.