Lokomotiv Kuban beat Enisey in Krasnodar – 90:83 OT (11:13, 17:20, 28:17, 18:24, 16:9).
Game progress
The teams had tried to find their game in the first half. Both opponents coundn’t take a slight lead and scored only 23 points in 10 minutes combined. The guests were slightly better – 13:11.
In the second quarter, the Siberian team continued to slow down the pace. With such game pace, Loko offense relied only on DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell (13 points). But his efforts weren’t enough to change the course of the game. The Krasnoyarsk team kept the lead by the halftime – 33:28.
The Krasnodar team caught the courage in the second half. In the third quarter, the hosts scored as many points as in the first half, which allowed Loko to take the lead – 56:50.
Key moment
In the fourth quarter, the guests still showed the character. The Krasnoyarsk team gained the same momentum as Loko had and was rewarded for that. Xavier Rathan-Mayes made an equalizer three-pointer at the end of regulation and went into overtime – 74:74.
The ovetrime became Jaylen Barford’s time. The guard made 3 three-pointers, helped the hosts to gain a double-digit lead a minute before the end – 90:79. In the remaining time, the guests slightly reduced the score difference, but no more than that.
X-factor
Loko did not have the best shooting percentage in this game, but rebounds became the key to success. The hosts updated the team’s season-high in offensive rebounds (19).
Fact
The Krasnodar team has won the 7th straight home game. At the same time, the hosts finally beat the Eastern League team. Prior to that, PARMA, Astana, Enisey and Uralmash defeat Loko before.
Leaders
Lokomotiv Kuban: Okaro White (27), DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell (23 + 5 rebounds), Jaylen Barford (11 + 5 rebounds).
Enisey: Jeremiah Martin (21), Xavier Rathan-Mayes (17), Yauheni Beliankov (13 + 5 rebounds), Beau Beech (13 + 6 rebounds).
What’s next
Lokomotiv Kuban (11-6): December 21 at home against Uralmash
Enisey (10-7): December 19 at home versus Avtodor.
