Enisey defeated Astana on the road – 78:63 (14:20, 19:22, 22:6, 23:15).
Game progress
The teams started the game cautiously. The hosts were better in a tight positional game. Astana made less turnovers, got 6 offensive rebounds and took the lead. Only Victor Sanders (8 points) was on fire in the guests team. But his efforts weren’t enough. Astana had a 6-point lead before the first quarter – 20-14.
Aggressive defense and great offense by Rustam Murzagaliev, Daniel Utomi and Danila Pokhodiaev allowed the Kazakh team to increase the lead. After Utomi three-pointer, Astana had a 17-point lead – 40:23. The Siberian team played better at the end of the second quarter and cut the deficit. But Astana still had a comfortable 9-point lead – 42:33.
Key moment
In the third quarter, the Siberian team finally managed to take the initiative. Uladzislau Blizniuk became key player in this game. The guard’s 3 long-range shots were the basis of the 17-point run by Enisey, after which the Siberian team regained the lead – 52:46.
In the final quarter, the hosts tried to regain the intrigue. But Enisey used experience in the decisive minutes. The Siberian team scored key shots and increased the lead. Sanders finally put an end to the game with long-range shot. After that, the Krasnoyarsk team lead reached 13 points within 1.5 minute left – 73:60.
X-factor
Sergey Balashov had one of the best games of his career. He scored several difficult shots at the right time. He also grabbed important offensive rebounds.
As a result, the Enisey center made his third career double-double (16 points + 12 rebounds), repeated his personal record for rebounds (12), and also set personal records for assists (6), offensive rebounds (9) and efficiency (27).
Facts
Enisey won 13th game in a row versus Astana. The last Kazakh team win was on March 1, 2020.
This game started Enisey’s 10-day road tour. After the game in Astana, the Siberian team will go to Krasnodar and Kazan.
Today’s win allowed Enisey to tie with Avtodor with 10 wons, but the Saratov team still has a game left.
Leaders
Astana: Daniel Utomi (15 + 5 rebounds), Rustam Murzagaliev (11), Danila Pokhodiaev (10 + 6 rebounds), Andrey Desyatnikov (8 + 10 rebounds).
Enisey: Victor Sanders (18), Sergey Balashov (16 + 12 rebounds + 6 assists), Timofei Gerasimov (14 + 7 rebounds + 7 assists), Uladzislau Blizniuk (14), Aleksa Stepanovic (11 + 7 rebounds)
What’s next
Astana: January 26 away against ‘Pari Nizhny Novgorod’.
Enisey: January 25 away against Lokomotiv-Kuban.
