Astana defeated Avtodor at home – 75:62 (19:14, 17:13, 22:20, 17:15)
Game progress
Astana quickly adapted to Avtodor offense and took the initiative midway through the first quarter. The Saratov team chased and briefly managed to equalised the score, butKarvel Anderson three-pointers gave the hosts the lead back. The guests offense seriously stopped and managed to score only 27 points by halftime.
In the second half, Oleg Kiselev team began to build on the lead, making it a double-digit. Adam Kunkel scored 5 points in a row to bring Astana lead to 16 points – 53:37.
Key moment
At the end of the third quarter, Vasilije Pusica made an opponent to foul on a three-point line and prevented Astana from getting too far ahead (58:47). But the hosts were unstoppable. The Saratov team couldn’t block the paint from Devin Davis and Royce Hamm, who scored easy points and dominated rebounds. Astana took win without giving Avtodor a chance. The Kazakh team won its second straight game, while Milenko Bogicevic team got its fifth loss in six games.
X-factor
Astana completely destroyed the guests in the paint: the hosts had 12 offensive rebounds, while Avtodor had only 5. The total was also for the hosts – 42:31.
Fact
Royce Hamm makes his first double-double in the United League. In addition, 13 rebounds is American center career high.
Leaders
Astana: Royce Hamm (17 + 13 rebounds), Carvel Anderson (16), Markell Johnson (15 + 7 rebounds), Devin Davis (8 + 9 rebounds), Felipe Haase (5 + 9 rebounds).
Avtodor: Rayshawn Hammonds (19 + 11 rebounds), Dusan Beslac (8 + 10 rebounds), Kyle Vinales (9 + 5 assists).
What’s next
Astana: October 28 on the road against CSKA
Avtodor: October 29 at home versus UNICS.
