Lokomotiv Kuban defeated UNICS in the Game of the Week at home – 94:82 (21:23, 22:21, 28:17, 23:21).
Game progress
The game started with the Kazan team slight advantage. By the middle of the first quarter, the guests had pushed the lead to 9 points, but John Jenkins and Tehjere McCall helped the Krasnodar team get back into the game. At the beginning of the second quarter, Andrei Martiuk showed his brilliance – his 5 points allowed Loko to take the lead for the first time since the start. Antonius Cleveland closed out the first half with a buzzer-beater, UNICS held the lead by halftime – 44:43.
The hosts controlled third quarter. Patrick Miller started and Martiuk continued the Krasnodar team run, which gave Loko a double-digit advantage. Before the final quarter, Andrei Vedischev team continued to hold that lead – 71:61.
Key moment
The Kazan team didn’t give up. Jalen Reynolds and DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell tried to put UNICS back into the game. However, Loko was motivated to get win. Martiuk, Cleveland and Isaiah Whaley did not let UNICS to make a comeback. Loko held double-digit difference till the end and picked up 31st win of the season.
X-Factor
The Krasnodar team worked almost perfect in defense throughout the game. Loko managed to shut down one of UNICS’ leaders Marcos Knight. The MVP of December averaged 16.7 points per game, but this time managed to make only 1 shot of 14 field-goal attempts.
Facts
After losing in Krasnodar, UNICS lost a chance to win the regular season. Now the Kazan team will be able to finish only at 2nd or 3rd places.
Lokomotiv Kuban achieved 31 wins, which is all-time high in season.
Andrei Martiuk has the third best game of the season.
Leaders
Lokomotiv Kuban: Andrei Martiuk (23 + 9 rebounds), Patrick Miller (17 + 5 assists), Antonius Cleveland (15), Isaiah Whaley (9 + 11 rebounds)
UNICS: Jalen Reynolds (23 + 8 rebounds), Ismael Bako (18 + 11 rebounds), DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell (14 + 5 rebounds), Marcos Knight (3 + 6 assists), Dmitriy Kulagin (3 + 5 rebounds).
What’s next
Lokomotiv Kuban: April 10 at home against MBA-MAI
UNICS: April 8 on the road versus Astana.
