Lokomotiv-Kuban beat Zielona Gora at home – 114:99 (28:25, 22:26, 32:25, 32:23)
Top scorers
Zielona Gora: Geoffrey Grosselle (18 + 6 rebounds), Marcel Ponitka (17 + 8 assists), Filip Put (16).
Lokomotiv-Kuban: Alan Williams (34 + 13 rebounds), Mindaugas Kuzminskas(19), Mantas Kalnietis (11 + 17 assists).
Story
Zielona Gora started the season with 3 losses, Lokomotiv-Kuban approached the game with 3-1 record. The Poles held first home game in the season and wanted to improve the situation. The first half was even, only in the first quarter after Jordan Crawford’s three and 2 ones by Kevin Hervey Loko gained a double-digit lead – 28:18. But two long distance shots by Janis Berzins put the hosts back to the game quickly. In the beginning of the second quarter guests’ lead was 5 points and this is quarter-high. Both teams relied on their offense and after equal runs exchange went to the break, Zielona Gora up ahead 51:50.
In the middle of the third Kevin Hervey hit 3 threes in 3 minutes (71:68). Will Cummings supported his efforts scoring 5 points in last 3rd quarter minute, Loko is 6 points ahead by the final quarter (82:76).
💣Kevin @kherv_25 can't miss in 3rd Quarter vs Zielona Gora, hits 4 threes in a row! pic.twitter.com/293ZfJarTi
— VTB League (@VTBUL) October 25, 2020
Key moment
The most active and efficient player on Russian team roster was Alan Williams throughout the game. His post moves let Lokomotiv start the 4th with 5-0 run. Later, Mindaugas Kuzminskas made 3 shots in a row, Kuban run 14:5 brought them comfortable lead in the first minutes of the final quarter (96:81). Loko controlled the game in the remaining time and saved this lead till the final buzzer.
Hero
Alan Williams. The American is in fantastic shape on the start of the season and he is still the first in efficiency. In Poland Williams scored another double-double – 34 points and 13 rebounds. He was lacking 1 point to beat Loko’s players record (35 points by Mantas Kalnietis).
Stat
17 – Kalnietis set season-high in assists. This is the tenth case in the history of League when a player gives out 17 assists.
Next
Zielona Gora: November 1 at Tsmoki-Minsk
Lokomotiv-Kuban: November 1 at UNICS
Comments
Zielona Gora head coach Zan Tabak:
– We contributed a lot to get a victory but at some point our energy just ended. We have certain problems in our game, especially in defense.
Lokomotiv-Kuban head coach Evgeny Pashutin:
– The game was tight. Zielona Gora play at home much better than on the road, in addition they signed 2 new players. Usually we allow 51 points in 40 minutes, not by half break. Last 5 minutes of the game decided the winner, I think we deserved the victory.
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