CSKA defeated Runa in the Game of the Week – 80:74 (30:22, 16:13, 12:21, 22:18).
Game progress
CSKA was on fire from the start. The Army team made 3 three-pointers in a row and Amath M’Baye couldn’t miss – 14 points in the first quarter (5 of 5 from the game).
M’Baye missed only after 18 minutes into the game. By then he had made 2 more three-pointers and finished the half with 20 points. After the first quarter (22:30), the teams slowed down: Runa stopped to score, and CSKA didn’t score more than 6 points, which didn’t stop the guests from going into halftime with a double-digit lead – 46:35.
At the beginning of the second half, the hosts began to cut the difference. CSKA leaders were still struggling, and free-throws by Nikola Ivanovic (10 points per quarter by the guard) brought the score difference to 2 points – 56:58.
Key moment
At the start of the final quarter, the Vikings led for the first time. The game pace changed, and the teams went into the end of the game within one possession, exchanging with made shots.
CSKA made a key 6-2 run trailing by 1. Erturul Erdogan responded with a timeout, but Run- failed to accomplish coach’s plan – the Army team defended and after Trimble free-throws led by 4. On the decisive possession, Juwan Morgan stepped out of bounds, and the hosts lost any chance to win.
X-Factor
The League newcomer couldn’t handle the ending with 0 of 3 from the game and losing a key possession. CSKA made 3 of 3 with a solid defense in crucial minutes.
Fact
Amath M’Baye and Anton Astapkovic made 5 of 6 three-pointers. The rest of the team is 0 of 14.
Runa had 73.5% free-throws this season, and didn’t miss a single one tonight – 100% (10 of 10).
Leaders
Runa: Nikola Ivanovic (20 + 4 steals), Juwan Morgan (19 + 5 rebounds), Kirill Savin (13).
CSKA: Amath M’Baye (24 + 6 rebounds), Melo Trimble (12 + 7 rebounds + 5 assists + 5 turnovers), Tonye Jekiri (12), Anton Astapkovic (10).
What’s next
Runa (6-4): November 22 on the road versus Lokomotiv Kuban
CSKA (10-1): November 23 on the road against UNICS.
