Uralmash defeated MBA-MAI in Moscow – 85:79 (23:29, 24:10, 20:17, 18:23).

Game progress
Maksim Barashkov three-pointers allowed MBA-MAI to take the lead in the opening quarter. The hosts looked better than the opponent in a fast-paced game. Ivan Belousov’s 6 points and excellent three-point percentage (5 of 7 – 71.4%) allowed the Moscow team to win the opening quarter – 29:23.

In the second quarter, the Yekaterinburg team managed to stop opponent’s fast-paced offense. MBA was not very productive and made a lot of mistakes. As a result, the guests let MBA-MAI to get 5 turnovers and turned them into 11 fast break points. Uralmash was able to take the initiative. The guests had an 8-point advantage by halftime – 47:39.

Key moment
In the middle of the third quarter, Jeremiah Martin helped Uralmash to get double-digit lead – 59:48. The guests kept a comfortable score difference for a long time, but in the end the Moscow team was more energized. A minute before the end, MBA-MAI cut the deficit to 4 points – 77:81. But the hosts failed to make the decisive actions. Makar Konovalov, Vladislav Trushkin and Danil Pevnev missed three-point attempts. The strategy of tactical fouls didn’t work either. Igor Novikov made 4 free throws and helped to secure the win.

X-Factor
Defense helped the guests take the lead in this game. In the second and third quarters, MBA-MAIscored only 27 points, missing all 12 three-pointers during that stretch.

Facts
Yesterday Rostislav Vergun turned 43 years old. Uralmash players were able to congratulate head coach by winning this game.

MBA-MAI remains the League’s toughest team for the third season in a row. The Moscow team committed 28 would with average of 23.9 per game.

Leaders
MBA-MAI: Danil Pevnev (15), Evgeny Voronov (14), Andrey Zubkov (12 + 5 rebounds), Ivan Belousov (10).
Uralmash: Jeremiah Martin (17 + 9 assists), Javonte Douglas (14), Octavius Ellis (12), Hayden Dalton (11 + 9 rebounds).

What’s next
MBA-MAI: March 30 at home versus Astana
Uralmash: March 30 at home against Enisey