CSKA defeated PARMA in Moscow – 77:76 (14:19, 29:16, 13:21, 21:20).
Game progress
Both teams had a successful start despite a difficult schedule. PARMA has one win in two games, defeating Lokomotiv Kuban, while CSKA has 3 wins.
Evgeniy Pashutin team started with a 13-4 run, but CSKA quickly got back with Samson Ruzhentsev three-pointer. PARMA had the lead for most of the first half due Aleksandr Platunov, who scored 11 points with 83% shooting. But towards the end of the second quarter, Emil Rajkovic team made an 11-0 run with Ruzhentsev and Casper Ware help and had the lead before the halftime – 53:45.
In the second half, PARMA started a comeback. C.J. Bryce and B.J. Johnson scored 19 points combined in the third quarter, which allowed the Perm team to tie the score before the fourth quarter – 56:56.
Key moment
In the final quarter, the Army team dominated in the paint, making free throws. CSKA players still couldn’t stop Johnson on defence.
With 3 minutes left, the score was tied. The end of the game was a duel between Johnson and Melo Trimble. With 24 seconds left, Johnson made 1 of 2 free-throws, and Trimble made both free-throws in the next possession, and the Army team took the win.
Key factor
Free-throws percentage played an important role. In the final quarter, PARMA players made three free-throws, while the Army team made 10 of 10, which allowed the hosts to get the win in the end.
Fact
B.J. Johnson set a career-high tonight with 33 points. PARMA forward scored most of his points (25 of 33) in the second half.
Leaders
CSKA: Casper Ware (23 + 5 assists), Melo Trimble (17), Samson Ruzhentsev (13 + 5 rebounds).
PARMA: B.J. Johnson (33 + 5 rebounds), Aleksandr Platunov (13).
What’s next
CSKA: 21 October away against Avtodor
PARMA: 18 October away against “Runa”.
