UNICS defeated Samara at home 94:59 (25:9, 20:15, 24:15, 25:20).
Game progress
At the start of the game the teams were able to score 12 points combined – 6:6, but Jalen Reynolds changed the game. The Kazan team took control in the paint, outrebounding the guests by 10 rebounds in the quarter (17-7). UNICS players grabbed 8 offensive rebounds. Dominance in field-goal attempts and free-throws in comparison with the guests poor shooting let to a significant difference – 25:9.
In the second quarter, the guests managed to improve the offense and could have cut the deficit a little bit, but Marcos Knight didn’t let this to develop. By halftime, the MVP of December had taken the lead in scoring – 17 points with 3 of 5 three-pointers made. UNICS relaxed a bot and got 8 turnovers by the start of the second half (the team averaged 8 turnovers per game).
DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell joined the scoring in the third quarter. At the end of the game, the forward made 20 points and joined Knight. Samara high long-range shooting percentage kept the team close, but 30-point differencial eliminated chances to get back into the game.
Key moment
The end of the game was emotional, with the teams exchanging dunks and managing to stay within the game limits despite the contact. UNICS confidently brought the game to a huge win.
X-factor
UNICS controlled the game in the paint. The hosts significantly dominated in total rebounds (47-27) and offensive rebounds (17-4).
This also contributed to Samara low two-point shooting accuracy – 33.3% (10 of 30).
Facts
The Kazan team continued the longest active winning streak in the League – 11 games. There is 1 game left to repeat Zenit season-high (12).
The rivalry history score is 9-1, UNICS leads. The Kazan team has taken the lead in the last 7 games.
Leaders
UNICS: Marcos Knight (21 + 6 assists), DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell (20), Jalen Reynolds (18 + 8 rebounds).
Samara: Mikhail Kulagin (16), Ilia Popov (12).
What’s next
UNICS: January 25 at home against MBA-MAI
Samara: January 24 at home versus Zenit.
