Enisey defeated Zenit at home – 91:83 (23:18, 26:25, 17:15, 25:25).
Game progress
The game started with the hosts 10-2 run. But the guests quickly got back into the game. Thomas Heurtel and Trent Frazier combined for 13 points to give Zenit a lead – 15:14. Then Kyle Kuric made all his 5 shots from the game.
However, the Krasnoyarsk team had their own hot players. Xavier Rathan-Mayes and Jeremiah Martin seemed to switch roles. Rathan-Mayes had 8 assists in the first half, while Martin scored 21 points. With the efforts of their leaders, the hosts ended the first half with the lead – 49:43.
Key moment
In the final quarter, the guests were able to break the Siberian team offense with zone defense. After Thomas Heurtel made shot 2.5 minutes before the end, Zenit equalised the score – 76:76. But the Krasnoyarsk team still had the last word. Mikel Hopkins and Beau Beech allowed the hosts to take a 7-point lead and get the win – 84:77.
X-factor
Mikel Hopkins became a real hero in the end, scoring 7 points in the last 2 minutes of the game. In total, Enisey center had 19 points, 15 rebounds and the most effective player (32 eff.points).
Fact
This season is the best in history for Enisey. The Krasnoyarsk team updated the team-high in wins(16) and secured their place in the Top 5. Not surprisingly, the Siberian team managed to get their first win over Zenit this year.
Xavier Rathan-Mayes remains the only player in the league who has made at least one three-pointer in every game. The Canadian also set his season record for assists (11) and made his first double-double in the VTB League.
Leaders
Enisey: Jeremiah Martin (26), Mikel Hopkins (19 + 15 rebounds), Xavier Rathan-Mayes (17 + 11 assists), Sergey Balashov (13).
Zenit: Thomas Heurtel (21 + 8 assists + 5 rebounds), Vince Hunter (20 + 8 rebounds), Kyle Kuric (16), Trent Frazier (12).
What’s next
Enisey (16-10): February 10 on the road against UNICS
Zenit (17-9): February 11 at home versus Lokomotiv Kuban.
