Enisey beat Avtodor at home – 86:85 (22:24, 21:22, 16:22, 27:17).
Top scorers
Enisey: Tyus Battle (19), Leyton Hammonds (16 + 7 rebounds), Dustin Hogue (15 + 8 rebounds), Timofaey Yakushin (14), Aleksandr Gudumak (13).
Avtodor: Dusan Ristic (15 + 6 rebounds), Markel Starks (17 + 8 assists), Nate Mason (13 + 5 assists), Gian Clavell (10), Zeljko Sakic (10).
Story
Both teams weren’t in good shape approaching this game. Siberians’ losing streak was 5 games, Volga’s – 4. Th victory in this game would give a perfect opportunity to break bad streak.
From the beginning the game was hot. The guests had long bench. In the first quarter 7 of 9 Volga players scored. The Siberians were led by Tyus Battle and Leyton Hammonds. They scored 18 points combined. Avtodor’s team approach was a little more successful. By the second quarter they were up ahead – 24:22.
The game remained nervous in the second quarter as well. In the quarter the biggest lead was 4 points. IN the even game Saratov were luckier. Dusan Ristic and Nate Mason’s efforts (21 points combined) let Avtodor save the lead – 46:43.
Even game mode was broken in the end of the third. Aleksandr Petenev and Markel Starks’ threes and Nate Mason’s free throws let Avtodor take the confident lead for the first time in the game – 68:59.
Key moment
However, there was clutch. The Siberians managed to come back. The game was decided in the teams’ last possessions. With 7 seconds left hosts’ center Aleksandr Gudumak put Enisey up ahead from the charity stripe line – 86:85. Volga guard Markel Starks tried to save Avtodor but his shot wasn’t accurate.
This win let Enisey catch Astana in 11th place race. Avtodor almost lost the chances to get into play-offs. In the remaining games Saratov have to win and hope Khimki and PARMA lose.
Hero
Timofey Yakushin led Enisey’s comeback in the fourth. In the last quarter the guard hit all of his 4 field goal attempts and scored 11 points.
Stat
5 – Enisey broke 5-game losing streak.
Comments
Enisey head coach Drazen Anzulovich:
– Congratulations to my team on the victory. I like the way we played all 40 minutes. There were mistakes, but we used would we have practiced. We hadn’t official games last 2 weeks, the players had less energy as they lost the regular season rhythm. Thus, we were making substitutions all the time. Tonight, we played as a team, 23 assists, it isn’t usual for us. When we play smart and work as a team we can beat such strong opponents like Avtodor.
Avtodor acting head coach Vladislav Konovalov:
– Clutch, congratulations to Enisey on the victory. I also want to thank my guys for fighting. We approached this game seriously. We knew that Enisey are famous for their 4th quarter performances, where they are trying to hit open shots via previously saved energy. We talked about it but weren’t fouling. I’m happy we are playing more like a team from game the game. Tonight we had 21 assists, good result for us. In the paint we were active too and won the rebound. But basketball gods decided we’re not hitting game-winner.
Next
Enisey: April 12 @ Khimki
Avtodor: April 17 @ PARMA
