Enisey beat Astana on the road – 78:60 (16:17, 17:16, 16:11, 29:16).
Top scorers
Astana: Michael Thompson (14), Nikolay Bzahin (12).
Enisey: Leyton Hammonds (13 + 5 rebounds), Jordan Mathews (11 + 5 rebounds), Dustin Hogue (10 + 7 rebounds), Tyus Battle (5 + 10 rebounds).
Story
The teams played their last game only one and a half weeks ago. Then in Krasnoyarsk, in a dramatic ending, Enisey won (77:76). In the same meeting, Astana on the home site was going to take revenge.
But the hosts did not start the game well. They scored their first points only on the sixth minute. However, the Siberians also did not shine with efficiency. They could not turn the starting leap (7:0) into decisive acceleration. But Astana nevertheless found its shot. 5 accurate three-pointers allowed the to win the opening quarter of the meeting – 17:16.
The game swing was continued in the second 10-minute. At first, the Krasnoyarsk team made another attempt to break away from the rival. After three-point hits by Artem Komissarov and Timofey Yakushin, Enisey’s leadership even became double-digit – 32:21. But the end of the quarter again remained with the hosts. Zone defense and active Michael Thompson and Jeremiah Hill allowed Astana to make a comeback. The teams left for the long break when the score was equal – 33:33.
The traditions of this game continued in the third quarter. First, the Siberians organized another leap – 7: 0. The hosts responded to this with a series of 11 points scored in a row. But the Krasnoyarsk players were not taken back and, thanks to the efforts of Dustin Hogue and Mikhail Kulagin, gave their striking segment – 9: 0. As a result, the guests left for the last break as a leader – 49:44.
🚨 Михаил Кулагин закрывает 3-ю четверть в Нур-Султане трехочковым попаданием!@MikeKulagin 👏 pic.twitter.com/T0OS4JWGWX
— VTB League (@VTBUL) February 4, 2021
Key moment
The beginning of the final quarter was marked by “little” Jordan Mathews and Kerron Johnson organized several effective attacks and returned the double-digit lead to Enisey – 61:50. By the nature of this game, the next word was for Astana. But the guests did not agree with this. Aggressive defense and a series of accurate long-range shots from the Krasnoyarsk snipers broke the usual scenario. The White and Blue increased their lead and brought the game to a confident victory.
This victory was the third in a row for Enisey. Siberians caught up with Astana in the standings. Teams share 10-11 places among themselves.
Hero
Jordan Mathews did not play very well in the first games with Enisey. But this meeting showed that the guard is gradually joining a team. The American was one of the most active on the floor and with his successful actions provoked the key leap of the Siberians in the final quarter. In total, Mathews has 11 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals in this game.
Stat
60 – perfect defense was a key factor of Enisey win this game.
Comments
Astana head coach Emil Rajkovikj:
– Congratulations to Enisey, they were stronger tonight. We had lots of problems via Ojars Silins absence. He is our only power forward. There were rebounding problems we couldn’t handle Enisey frontcourt. I think this is the main cause why the opponent dominated in the second half.
Enisey head coach Drazen Anzulovich:
– Congatulations to my players, that was a nice team win. In the first half we were controlling the game but lost our advantage and let the opponents come back to the game. Since the third we have controlled the game. I am satisfied with the way we played. It is obviously a big win for us.
Next
Astana: February 12 vs Khimki
Enisey: February 10 vs CSKA
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