Lokomotiv Kuban defeated MBA-MAI on the road – 88:85 (23:24, 18:19, 23:19, 24:23).
Game progress
The hosts came out with the intention of achieving a record 4-0 start. Loko had already lostto Uralmash in the season opener. The first half was tight as the lead changed six times, the Moscow team focused on three-point scoring (6 of 14), while the guests were kept afloat by free throws (10 out of 14) and scoring in the paint (58.3% of two-pointers).
After the break, the hosts lost their advantage, began to make turnovers and were forced to start the final quarter catching-up – 62:64.
Key moment
The Moscow team kept the game exciting until the end, taking the lead in rebounds (42-32), but was unable to find ways to guard Patrick Miller. The guard scored his team’s last 4 points and forced Maksim Barashkov to lose the ball in the final possession, giving Loko the win.
X-factor
Miller took control of the game in the second half, becoming the game’s top scorer. The guard set season and career-high with 33 points on 9 of 14 field-goals and 15 of 18 free-throws.
Facts
MBA-MAI players set an anti-record for the season with 32 fouls. The guests were not far behind (25), entering the top 10 in this stat at the moment.
The game ended with the smallest score difference (3) in the rivalry history (9-2/ Loko leads). Previously, the winner had won by 8 or more points.
The three-point advantage did not allow Krasnodar team to overtake MBA-MAI in the standings (needed 4 or more).
After this game, UNICS remains the only undefeated team (3-0).
Leaders
MBA-MAI: Andrey Zubkov (19 + 7 rebounds), Maksim Barashkov (17 + 3 steals), Danil Pevnev (13 + 5 rebounds), Pavel Savkov (11), Viacheslav Zaitsev (11 + 7 rebounds)
Lokomotiv Kuban: Patrick Miller (33 + 5 assists), Vince Hunter (10 + 9 rebounds)
What’s next
MBA-MAI: October 18 on the road versus Samara
Lokomotiv Kuban: October 19 on the road against UNICS.
