Tsmoki-Minsk defeated UNICS at home in overtime, 87-85 (13-16, 21-22, 23-24, 20-15, 10-8).
Top Scorers
Tsmoki-Minsk: Antonio Graves (19), Dru Joyce III (17+8 ast+5 reb), Justin Gray (15+6 ast), Djordje Gagic (12+6 reb)
UNICS: Keith Langford (32), Artsiom Parakhouski (12+6 reb), Pavel Antipov (11), Quino Colom (11+7 reb+7 ast)
Intro
UNICS point guard Quino Colom made his return after missing nearly a month due to injury.
The Spanish wizard had a huge impact on the game, leading the team in minutes (43, including overtime), though it wouldn’t be enough against an inspired Tsmoki squad.
UNICS was in control much of the 1st quarter, opening on a 14-3 run. Tsmoki began to chip away, getting within three points to end the period.
The 2nd quarter featured a lot of momentum swings, with Minsk going up by as much as five. Kazan, however, entered halftime with the lead, 38-34, thanks to a 10-2 run.
The 3rd quarter was even more frenetic, with 4 ties and 8 lead changes.
Once again, UNICS came out on top, boasting a 62-57 lead with 10 minutes remaining.
Turning Point I
Down by as much 10 early in the 4th, Tsmoki rallied behind the perimeter shooting of Antonio Graves and Justin Gray. The American duo combined for four 3-pointers in the final three minutes, capped by Gray’s game-tying ‘3’ to send the game to overtime, 77-77.
Turning Point II
UNICS dealt the first blow in overtime, staking an 84-80 advantage on Coty Clarke’s 3-pointer.
But Graves and Gray would not be denied. With under a minute to go, Graves tied the game at 84-84 with a long-range bomb.
After Keith Langford went 1-2 at the line, Gray gave Minsk the win, drilling a ‘3’ in the dying seconds.
Langford had one final chance, but his 3-pointer missed the mark, giving Tsmoki a stunning upset and reviving the Belarusians’ playoff hopes.
Kazan, meanwhile, has now lost four in a row, dropping to 10-5 on the season.
Stat
1-7 and 6-10 – After combining to go 1-7 from downtown in the first 35 minutes, Antonio Graves and Justin Gray knocked six 3-pointers in the final 10 minutes to give Tsmoki the win.
Play
Quotes
Tsmoki-Minsk head coach Igor Grishchuk:
– I want to congratulate my guys on the win. They did what they were asked. The fans needed this game more than anyone. They come to the games and support us. Now we’ve got chemistry and time to prepare. Gray? He loves the game and I trust him, which is why we’ve been together so long. He brings luck. Graves is a good player and the fact that we could find him mid-season is a miracle. I’m happy he’s here.
UNICS head coach Evgeny Pashutin:
– I want to congratulate Tsmoki on the win. They deserved it. They wanted to win more. But four 3-pointers – that’s our fault. A lack of attention and fatigue at the end, and Minsk hit its shots. We were exhausted physically and mentally.
As for Quino Colom, Langford comes alive when he’s on the court. A point guard is a point guard. He should pass the ball and he dished out assists today. That’s his first game back without practice. He’ll be even better in the games to come.
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Up Next
Tsmoki-Minsk: February 19 vs. Astana
UNICS: February 16 at Nizhny Novgorod
