Enisey Russia defeated Astana Kazakhstan at home, 90-76 (21-18, 29-24, 24-15, 16-19).
Top Scorers
Enisey: Suleiman Braimoh (18 + 6 reb), Martins Meiers (15), Denis Zakharov (15), Gleb Goldyrev (13)
Astana: Ike Udanoh (17 + 11 reb), Anthony Clemmons (15), Justin Carter (13)
Story
Much of the first half was tightly-contested. Led by Denis Zakharov and Martins Meiers (14 points in the 1st quarter), Enisey briefly pulled away, but Astana was able to stick around. In the 2nd quarter, the visitors started knocking down 3-pointers, while Krasnoyarsk responded with fast breaks and aggressive drives into the paint.
Gleb Goldyrev gave Enisey the momentum when he entered late in the 2nd quarter. The forward drained two quick triples and Suleiman Braimoh and Denis Zakharov added to the lead, giving the home team a 50-42 advantage entering halftime.
The Siberians continued to pull away in the 3rd quarter. Vladimir Pichkurov sparked Enisey with a three-point play on the fast break and a 3-pointer. By the end of the period, Enisey’s lead had grown to a commanding 17 points (74-57).
Astana has enjoyed several memorable comebacks this season, but it was not to be in Krasnoyarsk. Enisey’s lead never dropped below 12 points as the home team closed out a 90-76 win.
The victory helps Enisey snap its seven-game skid and improve to 5-14. Astana falls to 6-14.
Quotes
Enisey head coach Oleg Okulov:
– We’ve waited a long time for a win. To put it lightly, the season has not progressed in the best fashion. But we’re working and the guys are working. Injuries are an issue, but today we managed to play the way we’d planned. This win was very important and I hope the result helps us gain confidence and gives our players an extra boost.
Astana head coach Mikhail Karpenko:
– We didn’t look like ourselves on defense, first of all. We moved poorly and switched poorly. That had an impact on offense. I don’t know why, but Enisey also did not look very good when they played us at home, so I’d guess the trip, which is the longest in the League, had an effect. Astana – Moscow – Krasnoyarsk is an incredibly difficult trip and everyone’s legs were dead. Although, that’s not an excuse. We will work on our mistakes.
Up Next
Enisey: April 15 away vs. Nizhny Novgorod
Astana: April 15 away vs. UNICS
Images of the Game
