Avtodor beat Samara at home – 74:69 (17:13, 13:19, 17:17, 27:20).
The best scorers
Avtodor: Ryan Boatwright (20 + 8 assists), Malik Newman (16), Danilo Nikolic (14 + 8 rebounds), Brandon Garrett (10 + 5 rebounds)
Samara: Anton Kardanakhishvili (23), James Ennis (16 + 7 rebounds), Marcos Knight (11 + 5 steals), Malcolm Thomas (9 + 5 rebounds)
Game process
Avtodor replaced Milos Pavichevic after five losses and appointed Darko Russo. Samara was at 5th place with 5-4 bafore the Volga derby.
The Serbian specialist promised before the game that he would make the Saratov team’s game better, despite all the difficulties. In the opening quarter, the hosts really looked more interesting. Both teams focused on offensive basketball, but at first defense came out on top. Long-range shots by Ryan Boatwright, Nikita Mikhailovskii and Danilo Nikolic were important in such slow game – 17:13.
Avtodor controlled the game until the middle of the second quarter, when Anton Kardanakhishvili time has came. 3three-pointers by the young Russian in less than 3 minutes allowed Samara to take the lead. The guests still could not get a serious advantage from this. At the end of the first half, Marcos Knight did not take the chance and the Saratov team responded with Boatright fast-break, reducing the difference to 2 points – 30:32.
The third quarter did not change the game. The opponents still did not score a lot – 17:17 and still the same 2 points Samara led.
The key moment
The result of such equal game was decided in the end. Avtodor set the pace in the fourth quarter and took the lead, but at the last minute after a Marcos Knight shot Samara trailed by only 3 points. In an important possession, KC Rivers fouled Malik Newman, who made 2 out of 2 free-throws, then Ennis missed the three-pointer. Here Samara also lost Kardanakhishvili, he fouled out.
In the remaining seconds Avtodor held the lead and end their loosing streak. Darko Russo started to live up to expectations in the first game!
Hero
Ryan Boatwright. His made shots helped Avtodor to take the lead in the final quarter. Ryan was the key offensvie option throughout the game – 20 points and 8 assists.
Numbers
23 – Anton Kardanakhishvili career high in points in the League, with 7 out of 8 from the game.
What’s next
Avtodor: home game against Enisey on November 19.
Samara: road game versus UNICS on November 21.
