Lokomotiv Kuban beat Uralmash in Krasnodar – 98:73 (28:15, 27:26, 22:17, 21:15).
Game progress
Lokomotiv Kuban took an early lead – 12:3. Uralmash cut the difference to 2 points within a minute. The Yekaterinburg team made next shot only 9 minutes later – by the middle of the second quarter the team had 11 turnovers. During that, Loko made a 27-5 run. After that, Uralmash woke up and made 7 three-pointers in a row. By halftime the hosts had the lead – 41:55.
However, the hosts continued to control the game. Shortly after the start of the second half, the score difference reached 20 points again. Such open game gave the teams an opportunity for scoring, and Aleksanerd Sekulic team was better at this. Loko scored a season-high 98 points, took revenge for the first-round loss to Uralmash and moved closer to the Top 3.
X-factor
The Krasnodar team showed great teamwork. 11 of 12 players scored points, and the team updated season-high in assists – 28 (only CSKA had more – 32). Good ball movement led to high shooting percentage: 55.2% from the game, 46.2% three-pointers.
Fact
Loko won for the 8th straight game at home.
Octavius Ellis, despite difficulties making shots (4 of 10 from the game), made his 6th double-double of the season.
Leaders
Lokomotiv Kuban: Jaylen Barford (19 + 7 rebounds), Andrei Martyuk (13 + 8 rebounds), DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell (12 + 5 rebounds), Zakhar Vedischev (11), Kirill Elatontsev (10 + 6 rebounds).
Uralmash: Garrett Nevels (20), Anton Glazunov (14 + 6 assists), Octavius Ellis (11 + 11 rebounds).
What’s next
Lokomotiv Kuban (12-6): December 24 on the road against Zenit
Uralmash (8-10): December 25 at home versus PARMA.
