Astana defeated Lokomotiv Kuban – 78:68 (20:24, 15:23, 26:4, 17:17).
Game progress
DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell shined in the first half. Loko leader scored 13 of the team’s 24 points in the opening quarter. Okaro White then joined and the guests began to quickly build up a lead and by the end of the first half had brought it to 12 points (at times the Krasnodar team lead reached 15 points).
But Astana showed their fans a real fighting spirit. An 11-2 run led to an emergency timeout by Aleksander Sekulic. However, it didn’t help – the Kazakh team completely dominated the third quarter, winning it 26-4.
Key moment
Astana had a double-digit lead at the start of the last quarter – 61:51. Rustam Murzagaliev and Royce Hamm brought the difference to 19 points. The Krasnodar team was able to cut the lead to 8 points, but it was Loko last push – Markell Johnson put the winning point with a spectacular dunk. With their third win of the season, Astana moved closer to the Playoffs zone.
X-factor
Astana phenomenal defense in the third quarter determined the game result/ letting only 4 points Loko to score. It is the League’s defensive record this season.
Fact
For the third time this season, the Kazakh team scored 78 points in a game. If it didn’t help Astana to win the game against MBA, but Nizhny and Loko failed to outscore Oleg Kiselev team.
Leaders
Astana: Markell Johnson (15 + 6 assists), Devin Davis (14 + 10 rebounds), Royce Hamm (13 + 7 rebounds), Rustam Murzagaliev (12), Carvel Anderson (12).
Lokomotiv Kuban: Okaro White (19), DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell (17), Andrey Martiuk (10), Kirill Elatontsev (8 + 7 rebounds), Jaylen Barford (2 + 5 rebounds + 7 assists).
What’s next
Astana: November 12 at home against Uralmash
Lokomotiv Kuban: November 12 on the road versus CSKA
