Zenit defeated Lokomotiv Kuban in the 3rd Place Series Game 4 in Krasnodar – 88:77 (21:23, 21:22, 18:17, 28:15).

Game progress

For both teams, the game had key importance. In the opening quarter, Andrey Martiuk and DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell made several long-range shots that gave the hosts an 8-point lead. However, Zenit quickly got into the chase, and at the start of the second quarter, Thomas Heurtel gave the guests a lead. From that point on, the sides switched places – now Loko tried to catch up. Shortly before the halftime, the Krasnodar team was able to get the lead back – 45:42.

The game hadn’t change in the second half – the lead changed time to time, and by the start of the decisive game Loko held a minimal lead – 62:60.

Key moment

From the start of the fourth quarter, Zenit began to get the initiative, with the key play by Juwan Morgan. An impressive quarter by Morgan (10 of Zenit 13 points) gave the guests a 5-point lead. Martiuk, who played brilliantly, led his team to a last chance cutting the lead to 2 points, but he made turnover, after which Heurtel scored on a fast break, then got blocked by Morgan shot and committed offensive foul. Tactical fouls didn’t help the Krasnodar team: Zenit maintained a comfortable lead, got win and the bronze medals of the 2023/24 season.

X-factor

Juwan Morgan had only 22 minutes due to foul trouble, but in the decisive quarter his output helped the guests to change the game. The bigman gave Zenit offense a boost, scored all 10 of his 10 points in the fourth quarter (including 2 long-range shots) and made a crucial block.

Fact

Zenit wins the bronze for the fifth time in the history – before that, the St. Petersburg team became 3rd in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2021.

Andrey Martiuk has the second best scoring game this season. He also had a career-high 32points against the St. Petersburg team.

Leaders

Lokomotiv Kuban: Andrey Martiuk (28 + 6 rebounds), Kirill Elatontsev (10 + 5 rebounds), DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell (9 + 6 assists)

Zenit: Vince Hunter (19 + 7 rebounds), Thomas Heurtel (17), Sergey Karasev (14 + 6 rebounds), Trent Frazier (13 + 5 rebounds + 8 assists + 4 steals), Juwan Morgan (10 + 7 rebounds).