Zenit beat PARMA in Quarterfinals Game 3 on the road – 91:74 (32:15, 21:19, 24:14, 26:14).
Game progress
The teams had a great start. Samson Ruzhentsev made 8 points and the guests responded with 5 three-pointers, after took a double-digit lead for the first time in the game – 24:13. Evgeny Pashutin timeout didn’t help PARMA stop the opponent. The St. Petersburg team began to work more aggressively in defense with Georgy Zhbanov on the floor, and over the next 7 minutes allowed the hosts to score only 5 points and increased the lead to 27 points. However, Stanley Whittaker and Ruzhentsev helped the Perm team cut the deficit by halftime – 53:34.
Key moment
After the halftime, the guests continued to score three-pointers and organize fastbreaks. The Perm team kept bigmen on the court and tried to score from the paint, but couldn’t get any closer to the opponent due to turnovers. By the start of the final quarter, Zenit had increased the lead to 29 points. PARMA picked up the pace and was able to regain half of the deficit, but the hosts didn’t have enough energy for more. Evgeny Pashutin team finished the season, and Zeint advances to Playoffs.
X-factor
An important reason for Zenit win was the shooting. The St. Petersburg team made 32 of 63 shots, demonstrating an outstanding 50%.
Facts
Zenit was able to advance to Semifinals without losses for the first time since the season 2021/22. The St. Petersburg team passed MBA 3-1, and defeated Uralmash 3-2 last season.
Zenit’s winning streak has already 23 games. In case of win the Semifinals Game 1, Xavier Pascual team will repeat CSKA record of 24 consecutive wins, which is active since the start of the 2022/23 season.
Samson Ruzhentsev set career-high 32 point and made 5 assists.
Leaders
PARMA Samson Ruzhentsev (32 + 5), Royce Hamm (12 + 5 rebounds).
Zenit: Dwayne Bacon (27 + 7 assists), Trent Frazier (15), Vince Hunter (12 + 11 rebounds), Alex Poythress (12), Andrey Vorontsevich (10).
What’s next
Zenit: Semifinals against winner of Lokomotiv Kuban vs Uralmash series.
