Avtodor beat MBA-MAI at home – 88:69 (26:15, 22:21, 20:21, 20:12).
Game progress
The hosts took the initiative from the start. The difference was up to 16 points in the first quarter, but the Moscow team managed to cut it to 11. MBA-MAI commited a lot of fouls, which gave the opponent 11 free throws, which determined the difference in the score.
The second quarter went back-and-forth. The guests corrected the game and cut the deficit, but Caleb Agada and Bryant Crawford fixed a 12-point difference in the first half. The opponents showed almost identical field-goal percentage (around 53%). The Moscow team was better in three-point making (4 of 8), but had more turnovers (12) and fouls (12).
Evgeny Minchenko allowed MBA-MAI to win the 3rd quarter with a minimal advantage (21:20), but the guests still had a lot of turnovers and started to miss three-pointers (0 of 6 in the quarter). All of this allowed Avtodor to maintain a double-digit lead before the final quarter.
Key moment
The final quarter began with a lot of fouls commited. But midway through the quarter, the hosts made an 11-1 run, which was decisive. Avtodor got a crucial win for 6th place in the standings with 2 rounds left.
X-factor
Avtodor’s 11-point lead after the first quarter allowed the team to hold the score differencial throughout the game, which was equal.
Facts
Avtodor got second win at home over MBA-MAI in the rivalry history. The Saratov team has lost 4 home games in a row. The head-to-head score is 6-5, the Moscow team leads.
Avtodor climbed to 6th place due to total points difference. This place allows to clinch directly for the Playoffs.
Evgeny Minchenko had his 3rd double-double of the season – 19 points and 11 rebounds.
Leaders
Avtodor: Bryant Crawford (15 + 5 assists), Caleb Agada (15), Kerem Kanter (13 + 5 rebounds), Jamal Jones (13 + 6 rebounds), Dusan Beslac (13).
MBA-MAI: Evgeny Minchenko (19 + 11 rebounds), Daniil Kasatkin (17 + 6 rebounds), Maxim Barashkov (10).
What’s next
Avtodor: April 10 on the road against Uralmash.
MBA-MAI: April 10 on the road versus Lokomotiv Kuban.
