CSKA defeated Avtodor on the road – 85:73 (23:25, 27:9, 21:12, 14:27).
Game porgress
The first quarter was equal. Kyle Vinales and Rayshawn Hammonds responded to Samson Ruzhentsev made shots at the start of the game – 14 points from the Saratov teamduo and Avtodor led after the starting quarter – 25:23.
In the second quarter, defense was the key. The Army team didn’t give Avtodor any space and the hosts offense fell apart. Vinales and Hammonds missed 10 shots, while CSKA made no mistakes. The guests won the quarter 27:9, finishing the half with an outstanding 76.9% from the game and 77.8% from the three-point line.
Key moment
CSKA entered the second half with the goal of holding the lead and succeeded. The Army team continued to focus on defense, keeping Avtodor players from making any runs. After 9 points in the second quarter, the hosts managed to score only 12 in the third quarter, with CSKA leading by 25 before the final quarter.
Avtodor won the final quarter, with Vinales scoring 13 more points, but the Army team lead was too large. The hosts made 6 shots in a row in the final minute, but CSKA held a 12-point lead and got the fifth win of the season.
Key factor
The Army team defense was a key factor in another win – CSKA allowed Avtodor to score only 21 points in 20 minutes.
Fact
Avtodor had twice less free-throws than average – 13 vs. 26. Before the game, the Saratov team was third in the League (24.0 vs. 22.3 from CSKA).
Leaders
Avtodor: Kyle Vinales (21 points + 5 assists), Rayshawn Hammonds (12 points + 9 rebounds), Dusan Beslac (12 points + 6 rebounds).
CSKA: Samson Ruzhentsev (14 points), Melo Trimble (12 points + 6 assists).
What’s next
Avtodor: October 25 on the road versus Astana
CSKA: October 25 at home against MINSK.
