CSKA defeated Enisey at home – 91:86 (23:31, 20:24, 27:17, 21:14)
Game progress
Amath M’Baye and Aleksa Avramovic started the game with three-pointers, which gave CSKA the lead. But the guests didn’t let the opponent get further. In the middle of the opening quarter, the Siberian team turned the game around with substitutions. Rotation players scored 19 points and gave Enisey the lead. In the first quarter, the Krasnoyarsk team made 11 of 15 shots (5 of 8 three-pointers), scored 31 points and led – 31:23.
At the start of the second quarter, Vladislav Perevalov helped the guests to achieve a double-digit lead – 37:27. The Moscow team tried to take the initiative back. But the Krasnoyarsk team held it with rebounds (19-8). The Siberian team had already scored 55 points, which allowed to maintain a comfortable lead by halftime – 55:43.
At the start of the third quarter, Timofei Gerasimov and Vladislav Odinokov put Enisey lead to 16 points – 61:45. The Moscow team managed to take the initiative in defense. Aggressive pressing and individual work allowed the hosts to stop the guests. CSKA began to gradually cut the deficit, and Livio Jean-Charles tied the game at the start of the final quarter – 72:72.
Key moment
The game went into clutch. The key was Tonye Jekiri long-range shot, which gave CSKA a 5-point lead a minute before the end – 89:84. Gerasimov cut the deficit – 86:89. In the final seconds, Enisey had a chance to save the game. But Uladzislau Blizniuk missed three-pointer.
X-factor
Defense was the key factor that allowed CSKA to win the game. After the halftime, the Moscow team allowed Enisey to score 31 points. With such tight defense, CSKA was able to catch up Enisey and achieve the win in the end.
Facts
CSKA remains the best home team in the League. The Moscow team has 16 wins in 18 games at home.
The Moscow team extended the winning streak to 7 games (the second longest active streak). For Enisey, today’s loss was the 5th in a row.
Semen Antonov surpassed Vitaly Fridzon to become the second-highest scorer in VTB League history. CSKA forward had 2,900 points after tonight’s game. Only Alexey Shved is ahead (4,386 points).
Leaders
CSKA: Amath M’Baye (15 + 5 rebounds), Tonye Jekiri (15), Livio Jean-Charles (14), Melo Trimble (13), Ivan Ukhov (11 + 6 rebounds).
Enisey: Timofei Gerasimov (18 + 8 assists), Uladzislau Blizniuk (16), Vladislav Perevalov (11).
What’s next
CSKA: March 16 on the road against Lokomotiv Kuban.
Enisey: March 15 at home versus Astana.
