Avtodor defeated Pari Nizhny Novgorod at home – 89:85 (26:10, 21:22, 13:25, 29:28).

Game progress
Zoran Lukic team had problems in offense at the start – 6 turnovers and only 10 points in the first quarter. Avtodor was better with 5 three-pointers. Malik Newman 8 points helped the team get a double-digit lead by the middle of the first half – 26:10. Bryon Allen and Filipp Gafurov refreshed Nizhny game with an 8:2 run. But the guests couldn’t guard Rayshawn Hammonds and Newman. The American duo brought the team 16 points in 10 minutes and helped the Saratov team to get a 15-point lead by the halftime – 47:32.

In the second half, Nizhny started to play much faster in offense, which helped the players find open shots. The guests won the third quarter 25:13 and cut the lead to 3 points before the final quarter – 60:57.

Key moment
The final quarter started with 10 points by Allen, who gave Nizhny Novgorod a lead for the first time in the game – 69:68. But Hammonds allowed the hosts to enter the clutch with a 3-point lead with 2 minutes left – 82:79. Allen’s turnover allowed Avtodor to extend the lead to 5 points, after which Nizhny could not get back into the game.

X-factor
An important reason for Avtodor win was good three-point percentage. The hosts made 10 of 18, Hammonds and Newman long-range shots stopped the guests’ run between third and fourth quarters.

Fact
Two Saratov team players made a double-double. Dominic Mavra made 11 points and 12 assists, while Rayshawn Hammonds got his best scoring game of the season  with 29 points and also had 10 rebounds.

Leaders
Avtodor: Rayshawn Hammonds (29 + 10 rebounds), Malik Newman (20), Sindarius Thornwell (16 + 5 rebounds), Dominic Mavra (11 + 12 assists).
Pari Nizhny Novgorod: Dragan Apic (19 + 10 rebounds), Bryon Allen (19), Evgenii Baburin (13), Casey Shepherd (12 + 7 assists), Glenn Cosey (10).

What’s next
Avtodor (9-11): January 9 at home against Lokomotiv Kuban.
Pari Nizhny Novgorod (5-15): January 10 on the road versus MBA.