CSKA Russia defeated Tsmoki-Minsk Belarus on the road, 93-83 (32-18, 18-19, 22-16, 21-30).
Top Scorers
Tsmoki-Minsk: Devon Saddler (19), David Kravish (14 + 7 reb), Chris Czerapowicz (12)
CSKA: Nando De Colo (18), Semyon Antonov (13), Cory Higgins (12 + 5 ast)
Story
Tsmoki-Minsk has yet to win in 2018, and was clinging to a playoff spot entering Sunday’s game vs. the reigning champs.
CSKA seized control from the opening tip in this one. The Army Men were unstoppable on offense, sprinting to 32 points in the opening period thanks to a dynamic transition game and unselfish passing. Minsk was forced to foul early and often in the paint, allowing CSKA to knock down 16 of 18 free-throw attempts in the first half and lead 50-37 at the break.
CSKA remained in control in the second half. The visitors continued to move the ball, clean up the glass and score with ease at the line. After building a 19-point lead in the 3rd quarter, the Army Men eased off the gas a little in the final period, allowing Tsmoki to cut the deficit to 10.
Dimitris Itoudis and co. become the first team in the League to 13 wins, setting up a showdown with 3rd-place Lokomotiv-Kuban in Krasnodar on Wednesday. Tsmoki-Minsk drops to 4-10, tied for 9th place with Astana, and one half game out of the final postseason spot.
Star
Cory Higgins. CSKA used its bench heavily, with the American swingman proving the most effective in limited minutes. Higgins shot 4-6 from the field for 12 points to go with five assists.
Big Block
Блок-шот Дэвида Кравиша🔥
David Kravish blocks🔥 pic.twitter.com/MI5Kgd1LDv
— VTB United League (@VTBUL) February 11, 2018
Stat
25 – number of CSKA assists. Tsmoki had only 11.
Quotes
Tsmoki-Minsk head coach Alexander Krutikov:
– In order to beat teams like CSKA, you need to be more aggressive. You need to draw fouls to score easy points. We lost too many of those battles today. This is the quickest team in the EuroLeague and so far it’s difficult for us to compete in that facet of the game.
We’ve got two weeks now in order to analyze what happened. We are playing well and I hope that will help us not lose the momentum we have right now.
CSKA head coach Dimitris Itoudis:
– There was a terrible tragedy today in the Moscow area with many lives lost. I can’t even imagine how those who lost relatives and loved ones must feel. I want to convey my deep sympathies. As for the game, I simply want to congratulate the team on a win.
Up Next
Tsmoki-Minsk: March 4 away vs. Astana
CSKA: February 14 away vs. Lokomotiv-Kuban
Images of the Game
