Lokomotiv Kuban defeated UNICS at home – 82:75 (12:21, 14:25, 26:16, 30:13).
Game progress
Before the game, DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell recieved the MVP of November award. Loko managed to foght the guests only in the first quarter. UNICS made a 10:1 run led by Nenad Dimitrijevic. A successful stretch by Andrey`Martyuk and Zakhar Vedischev helped the hosts cut the difference to 6 points, but UNICS three-pointers put Loko back, and the Krasnodar team missed three-pointers trying to pursuit the guests. Dimitrijevic helped to make the guests a 20-point lead – 46:26.
However, the fans kept pushing Loko ahead, and the Krasnodar team got a fighting attitude in the second half. The hosts increased defense and near the end of the third quarter Loko sharpshooters finally started to score. Andrey Martiuk closed out the third quarter with a dunk and the Krasnodar team trailed by only 10 points.
Key moment
In the final quarter, the hosts continued to push, trying to cut through the Kazan team defense. UNICS preferred to slow down the pace. Loko tactics were more effective: Vladislav Emchenko fastbreak dunk, Jaylen Barford three-pointer and Martiuk layup made just 2-point difference (71-69).
Velimir Perasovic took an emergency timeout, but it didn’t help – Barford equalized and put the hosts ahead – 74:71. DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell layup and Barford accurate free throws put an end to UNICS attempts to regain the lead.
X-factor
In recent games, Andrey Martiuk and Zakhar Vedischev haven’t great performances. But now the duo made a key contribution to the hosts win: Martiuk scored 15 points (season-high), and Vedischev made 10 points.
Fact
Lokomotiv Kuban made the biggest comeback of the season(23 points). 3 days ago, Runa made a 20-point comeback against Astana.
Leaders
Lokomotiv Kuban: DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell (19), Jaylen Barford (16 + 7 rebounds), Andrey Martiuk (15), Zakhar Vedischev (10).
UNICS: Nenad Dimitrijevic (18 + 5 assists + 4 steals), Dmitry Kulagin (17 + 6 rebounds), Ismael Bako (6 + 10 rebounds), Louis Labeyrie (5 + 5 rebounds).
What’s next
Lokomotiv Kuban (9-5): December 6 on the road against PARMA
UNICS (9-4): December 6 at home versus Pari Nizhny Novgorod.
