Avtodor defeated Astana in Saratov – 84:75 (17:21, 19:14, 19:17, 29:23).
Game progress
The first quarter was a shootout between Markell Johnson – Royce Hamm and Rayshawn Hammonds – Dusan Beslac. Each players scored exactly 12 points. The Kazakh team players scored all of their team’s points in the second quarter, preventing the hosts from taking the lead. Avtodor had slight lead by the halftime – 36:35.
At the start of the second half, Devin Davis scored 8 points, but then Astana offense was directed only by Hamm and Johnson. The duo scored the next 18 points in a row, but players’ offensive efforts were not enough – Avtodor got a 5-point lead. before the fourth quarter
Key moment
Hamm and Johnson didn’t have enough energy for the clutch – the duo missed 3 shots, but the Saratov team replied with 5 of 5 from the game and missed only 1 free throw. Avtodor won for the second time this season at home. The hosts moved into the Top 10 of the standings.
X-factor
Sindarius Thornwell and Vasilije Pusica combined for 22 points in 12 minutes and helped Avtodor to score points in the end.
Fact
All Astana players, except for Royce Hamm and Markell Johnson, have 30% made shots from the game (10 of 33).
Leaders
Avtodor: Sindarius Thornwell (18 + 6 rebounds + 3 steals), Rayshawn Hammonds (17 + 7 rebounds), Dusan Beslac (17 + 5 rebounds), Vasilije Pusica (12), Dominik Mavra (11 + 5 assists + 5 rebounds).
Astana: Royce Hamm (21 + 6 rebounds), Markell Johnson (21 + 7 rebounds + 6 assists), Devin Davis (12 + 3 steals), Rustam Murzagaliev (10).
What’s next
Avtodor (8-11): January 6 at home against Pari Nizhny Novgorod
Astana (8-11): January 5 on the road versus Lokomotiv Kuban.
