CSKA beat Zenit in the Game of the Week – 104:89 OT (26:21, 20:23, 21:20, 15:18, 22:7).
Game progress
The standings leaders started the game cautiously. In the first quarter, Tonye Jekiri helped CSKA from the bench. Bigman brought his team 10 points in 5 minutes, and the Army team led at the start of the second quarter – 28:21. However, Zenit did not allow the hosts to build on their lead. Thomas Heurtel three-pointer buzzer beater cut the difference to 2 points – 44:46.
Casper Ware made all 3 of CSKA’s three-pointers in the third quarter, while the rest of the team made 0 of 12. Problems with three-point shooting were compensated by mid-range shots (72.4%), and the Moscow team had a 3-point lead before the fourth quarter.
In the last quarter, the teams exchanged made shots time after time again, but Zenit never gave up. The guests were only down by 2 points at the end, but CSKA always responded with shots from under the basket – 28 seconds before the end, the Army team led by 5 after Amath M’Baye layup.
Key moment
CSKA gave Zenit a chance to save the game with 5-second violation. After a timeout, Trent Frazier made a perfect three-pointer – 82:82 with 7 seconds left!
The Army team again failed to get the ball out from the sideline, the St. Petersburg team could have ended the game in regulation, but it was made after the buzzer – overtime!
CSKA scored the first 7 points from the free-throw line, and regained control of the game. Zenit was losing rebounds, and after another layup by M’Baye, the hosts lead reached 10 points. The Army team breaks Zenit’s 7-game winning streak and extends its to 6 wins.
X-factor
Despite a disappointing end of regulation, CSKA leaders took control of the game in the overtime: 5 of 6 from the game and 11 of 11 free throws.
Fact
The Army team scored 22 points in overtime and repeated the VTB League’s high. Previously, Astana set the record against Avtodor on December 23, 2018.
Anton Astapkovic set a career-high in efficiency (36) and made the first double-double of the season. Bojan Dubljevic got first double-double in the VTB League.
Leaders
CSKA: Casper Ware (28 + 5 assists), Anton Astapkovic (20 + 10 rebounds), Tonye Jekiri (14 + 5 rebounds), Amath M’Baye (12), Melo Trimble (11 + 5 rebounds).
Zenit: Trent Frazier (21), Thomas Heurtel (18 + 6 assists), Vince Hunter (17 + 5 rebounds), Bojan Dubljevic (11 + 12 rebounds).
What’s next
CSKA (15-1): December 16 at home against Avtodor
Zenit (11-5): December 17 on the road versus MBA.
