UNICS defeated Avtodor in Saratov – 73:71 (18:15, 21:19, 17:14, 17:23).

Game progress
The game was equal. The Kazan team had the advantage, but Avtodor kept the opponent away with Dusan Beslac, Caleb Agada and Charles Manning actions.

Key moment
In the final minute, UNICS made another attempt to get away (69:64). Avtodor responded with Artem Klimenko and-one, but the center missed free throw.
After long UNICS possession, Aleksandr Petenev rushed for a fast break, but he was fouled by Andrey Lopatin. After watching the replay, the referees gave the forward a regular foul, and Petenev cut the deficit to a minimum – 68:69. The Saratov team lacked Klimenko free throw as the guests used tactical fouls and held the lead.

X-factor
The Kazan team controlled the rebounding (44-35), which played a key role in such equal game.

Facts
The rivalry history score in 24-2, UNICS leads. The last time Avtodor beat the Kazan team on October 2021, when Emil Rajkovic was the Saratov team coach.
UNICS won all 4 season rivalries: previously 84:58 and 84:54 in Kazan, 86:68 in Saratov.

Leaders
Avtodor: Dusan Beslac (20 + 8 rebounds), Charles Manning (14), Caleb Agada (13), Aleksandr Petenev (11).
UNICS: DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell (21 + 5 rebounds), Marcos Knight (20 + 6 rebounds), Dmitry Kulagin (13 + 10 rebounds), Ismael Bako (7 + 11 rebounds).

What’s next
Avtodor: March 29 at home versus Lokomotiv Kuban.
UNICS: March 29 at home against Pari NN.