Lokomotiv Kuban left no chance to UNICS defense and got the 14th win of the season — 103:70 (25:22, 23:12, 23:15, 32:21).
Game progress
Loko was on an excellent move in recent games and went to Kazan for the 4th win in a row. However, the host team was still the favorite as did not lose for 10 games.
The teams started the game with very bright attacking basketball. Americanss of both teams played solo. Vince Hunter led UNICS, Jaylen Barford and DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell helped Loko to score. The guests ended the first quarter as leaders. But the alead was minimal – 25:22.
As a result, the second quarter was the key in the game. The Kazan team failed to make something in offense, but Loko continued to score. By the middle of the quarter, Loko’s lead had reached 17 points – 45:28. Nenad Dimitrijevic tried to lead the team. But his efforts were only enough to slightly reduce the difference by the halftime – 34:47.
Key moment
Hopes for the intrigue in the second half did not appear. The guests bright game did not leave the Kazan team any chances. By the middle of the third quarter, Shcherbenev, Barford and Akoon-Purcell made shots made Loko lead gigantic — 67:40. The hosts were never able to recover and at some point finally stopped. As a result, UNICS let the opponent more than 100 points for the first time this season, and the fourth quarter was formal.
Key factor
Loko offense shines today. The Krasnodar team not only updated the season high (103 points), but also became the first team to score more than 100 points to UNICS.
Fact
Lokomotiv Kuban became only the second team in the league after CSKA, which was able to beat UNICS this season.
Leaders
UNICS: Vince Hunter (22), Louis Labeyrie (11 + 8 rebounds)
Lokomotiv Kuban: Jaylen Barford (22 + 5 assists), DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell (16 + 5 rebounds), Vladislav Emchenko (14), Chris Horton (13 + 8 rebounds + 5 steals), Alexandr Shcherbenev (13)
Next games
UNICS: road game versus MBA on February 7
Lokomotiv Kuban: home game against Pari Nizhny Novgorod on February 7
