Avtodor defeated Runa at home – 80:78 (19:20, 20:18, 19:14, 22:26).
Game progress
The first half was tight – the teams showed the Playoffs-level spirit. In the opening minutes, the guestshad an 8-point lead, but Avtodor quickly recovered and cut the difference to a minimum. From then until the end of the first half, Runa had a 1-3 point lead, but Avtodor immediately got it back. Malik Newman and Dusan Beslac helped the Saratov team to get hte lead by the halftime – 39:38.
The third quarter had a similar scenario, but Avtodor tried to create a comfortable lead, Runa was catching up. Dominic Mavra 9-point performance in the quarter led to a 6-point lead before the final quarter – 58:52.
Key moment
The end of the game was a real thriller. With 45 seconds left, Sindarius Thornwell seemed to have given Runa no chance – 77:71. However, Jeremiah Hill and Juwen Morgan instantly cut the diffenence to 1 point before Alex Tyus blocked Newman. In the next possession, Hill made 2 free throws – 78:77.
Still, basketball luck was on the hosts side this time. After Avtodor timeout, Rayshawn Hammonds unbelievably dribbled between Runa players and scored a difficult three-pointer. Avtodor starts the second stage with a difficult, but very spectacular win and equalises with Runa in wins.
X-factor
The Saratov team win was truly a team effort: all Avtodor starters scored over 10 points, and Dominic Mavra added 11 points off the bench.
Fact
Nikola Ivanovic (26 points) and Jeremiah Hill (24) were the best in efficiency. Hill was just 3 rebounds and 3 assists away from a triple-double.
Both the first and second stages for Runa and Avtodor began with a face-to-face game. In their season opener on October 1, Runa defeated the Saratov team for their first win in the United League.
Leaders
Avtodor: Malik Newman (17), Dusan Beslac (15), Rayshawn Hammonds (13), Aleksandr Petenev (11), Sindarius Thornwell (11 + 9 rebounds), Dominic Mavra (11 + 5 assists).
Runa: Nikola Ivanovic (20), Jeremiah Hill (12 + 7 rebounds + 7 assists + 3 steals), Juwan Morgan (12), Ilia Popov (8 + 5 rebounds).
What’s next
Avtodor (11-16): February 12 on the road against Astana
Runa (11-16): February 13 on the road versus Samara.
