Zenit defeated UNICS in the Game of the Week at home – 92:83 (21:16, 12:27, 35:21, 24:19).
Game progress
The opening was equal, with the hosts winning the first quarterby 5 points. In the second quarter, however, UNICS began to gradually took the initiative. Zenit refused to score, but the Kazan team made 3 long-range shots in a row and finished the first half with a double-digit lead – 43:33.
But it was too early for the St. Petersburg team fans to get upset. Xavier Pascual found the right words in halftime and Zenit was refreshed. Dwayne Bacon and Alexey Shved fueled Zenit offense – Zenit scored more points (35) in the third quarter than in the entire first half.
Key moment
By the final quarter, the hosts was already in the lead – 68:64. Trent Frazier took the lead in offense, saving his energy for the decisive moment. His three-pointers and assist to Bacon gave Zenit a double-digit lead for the first time in the game. UNICS managed to cut the deficit to 7 points by the final minute of the game, but the Kazan team lacked of time and Bacon finally put the game to an end. Zenit tied the season series (2-2), and UNICS dropped from first place to third.
X-factor
Alexey Shved played his best game since returning to the VTB League – he played 20 minutes in key offensive stretches for Zenit and showed season-high efficiency. Dmitry Kulagin was close to a triple-double, but had almost twice as much time on the floor.
Facts
Dwayne Bacon scored 30 or more points for the second time this season, and the first time he did it was also against UNICS, the game Zenit lost in December.
Zenit has 8-game winning streak, while UNICS’ streak has been ended with 16 straight wins.
Leaders
Zenit: Dwayne Bacon (30), Alexey Shved (15 + 5 rebounds + 7 assists), Trent Frazier (11), Okaro White (11), Georgy Zhbanov (10), Vince Hunter (8 + 9 rebounds).
UNICS: Marcos Knight (24), DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell (20 + 8 rebounds), Dmitry Kulagin (15 + 7 rebounds + 8 assists), Ismael Bako (15 + 6 rebounds + 6 steals).
What’s next
Zenit: March 1 at home against Astana
UNICS: March 1 on the road versus CSKA
