CSKA beat UNICS in the Game of the Week at home – 97:86 (21:12, 22:23, 20:21, 34:30).

Game progress

The Game of the Week started with CSKA advantage. Although the hosts didn’t score much in the opening quarter, CSKA defense held off UNICS from scoring, allowing to just 12 points. At the start of the second quarter, Ivan Ukhov gave CSKA a double-digit lead (25:12). The guests were unable to cut the deficit – CSKA held the lead by halftime (43:35).

Key moment

The second half started with a fast-break layup by Ismael Bako, which cut the score difference to 4 points. However, Ukhov and Amath M’Baye allowed the Moscow team to regain a comfortable lead. UNICS couldn’t find any ways to break CSKA defense

In the final quarter, the team decided to delight fans with a lot of shots. But even here CSKA with Melo Trimble looked more convincing than the opponent. The Moscow team held the lead till the end, took 3rd game in a row from UNICS in the season series and secured the top place in the standings.

X-factor

Despite the Kazan team powerful front court, CSKA was much better in rebounding. CSKA got 21 offensive rebounds and set teams season-high and 4th best in the entire League this season.

Facts

CSKA and UNICS are the only teams to have played in all 16 seasons of the VTB League.

The Moscow team has already won the season series this year, beating UNICS twice in Moscow and once in Kazan.

DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell played his 100th game in the Legaue. UNICS forward didn’t do too well tonight – 4 of 13 field-goals made and 5 fouls.

Leaders

CSKA: Melo Trimble (18), Amath  M’Baye (17), Livio Jean-Charles (13 + 6 rebounds), Aleksa Avramovic (11 + 3 steals), Anton Astapkovich (9 + 5 rebounds), Tonye Jekiri (6 + 7 rebounds), Nikita Kurbanov (4 + 9 rebounds).

UNICS: Jalen Reynolds (21 + 9 rebounds), DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell (18 + 5 assists), Ismael Bako (14 + 8 rebounds), Marcos Knight (12 + 7 rebounds + 8 assists).

What’s next

CSKA: March 4 at home against Uralmash

UNICS: March 4 at home versus MBA-MAI.