Zenit defeated CSKA in Moscow 92:91 (33:19, 23:26, 19:25, 17:21).
Game progress
The St. Petersburg team quickly took the lead in the first quarter and had a 17:2 run. Xavier Pascual had Artem Klimenko as a joker, who had 4 points, 2 rebounds and 2 blocks in 10 minutes. The score looked terrible for the Moscow team, but the hosts managed to stabilize the situation in the second quarter. Olivier Hanlan and Anton Astapkovic rebooted the offense with long-range shots, while Emil Rajkovic team looked more reliable in defense. CSKA had only 3 points, but the score left hope for a comeback – 45:56.
5 straight points by Livio Jean-Charles finally brought CSKA back into the game. The hosts combined long range shots with layups and had a 5-point deficit before the fourth quarter – 70:75.
Key moment
Melo Trimble gave CSKA the lead. The Moscow team had a good chance to win the game after free throws, even with Trent Frazier layup 20 seconds before the end – 90:91.
CSKA was inbounding the ball after a timeout, but Trimble made a turnover. Zenit took full advantage of that chance. Frazier dribbled into the paint and made an assist to Vince Hunter. The bigman was surrounded by 3 opponents, but In still made a lay up. The Moscow team had 8 seconds to save the game: Amath M’Baye missed a three-pointer and Astapkovic tried to make second-chance points, but missed.
The dramatic ending allowed the St. Petersburg team to push Lokomotiv Kuban from the Top-3 (by points difference) and got closer to second-place CSKA.
X-factor
CSKA was the best offensive team of the season (86.6 points scored on average), Zenit as the best defensive team (74 points allowed on average). Tonight the St. Petersburg team showed the ability to win in open play by being active in offense – 92 points with 22 assists and 47.1% of three-pointers made.
Fact
Zenit had lost 6 times in 6 games against CSKA, UNICS and Loko at the first stage. Now, the St. Petersbur team has improved against their direct rivals.
CSKA made a 21-point comeback and won 3 quarters, but still lost.
Leaders
CSKA: Melo Trimble (20 + 5 assists), Livio Jean-Charles (17 + 6 rebounds), Olivier Hanlan (15), Amath M’Baye (11 + 5 rebounds).
Zenit: Vince Hunter (24), Kyle Kuric (17), Sergey Karasev (15 + 5 rebounds).
What’s next
CSKA (24-9): April 1 at home versus Lokomotiv Kuban
Zenit (22-10): March 31 on the road against Enisey.
