CSKA defeated Avtodor at home – 85:74 (23:21, 21:24, 16:14, 25:15)

Game progress
Although CSKA was a favorite, Avtodor immediately showed serious motivation. The guests took the lead in the first few minutes, but Aleksa Avramovic took the initiative and tied the score. From that point on, the game was equal and the hosts had to catch up the opponent all the time. The lead changed several times and Avtodor was still ahead by halftime – 45:44.

Key moment
The third quarter was equal, but in the fourth CSKA turned on the high tempo. Livio Jean-Charles started the Moscow team run. His dunks and Ivan Ukhov forced the Volga team coach to take a timeout. But after the timeout, the hosts didn’t slow down. Avramovic and Anton Astapkovich duo gave CSKA a double-digit lead, and soon Amath M’Baye brought CSKA advantage to 17 points. Three-pointers in the final minutes only allowed Avtodor to avoid a huge loss.

CSKA pulls away from Zenit and remains the main pursuer of Lokomotiv Kuban in the standings.

X-factor
Livio Jean-Charles. The French bigman had less than 20 minutes, but managed to become second on the team in scoring and efficiency during that time, and also started CSKA decisive run.

Facts
The Saratov team was able to beat CSKA in the first half for the first time in the VTB League.

Turkish center Kerem Kanter, brother of famous ex-basketball player Enes Kanter, made his debut for Avtodor.

Egor Kuleshov set career-high 17 points.

Leaders
CSKA: Aleksa Avramovic (23 + 3 steals), Livio Jean-Charles (14 + 6 rebounds), Tonye Jekiri (14 + 9 rebounds), Ivan Ukhov (5 + 4 steals), Anton Astapkovich (5 + 6 rebounds).
Avtodor: Egor Kuleshov (17), Jamal Jones (13 + 6 rebounds), Dusan Beslac (12), Caleb Agada (10 + 11 assists + 4 steals), Dmitry Khaldeev (10 + 5 rebounds).

What’s next
CSKA: October 27 at home against Lokomotiv Kuban
Avtodor: October 27 at home versus Uralmash.