Lokomotiv-Kuban downed Avtodor on the road – 97:81 (25:21, 23:12, 29:17, 20:31).
Top scorers
Avtodor: Ryan Boatright (21+6 rebounds), Mouhammadou Jaiteh (18+10 rebounds), Orlando Johnson (10)
Lokomotiv-Kuban: Johnny O’Bryant (25+5 rebounds), Alan Williams (14+13 rebounds), Vitaly Fridzon (10), Sam Dekker (10+7 rebounds)
Story
Teams were equal in the first period. The hosts were led by Orlando Johnson and rookie Ryan Boatright while Alan Williams and Johnny O’Bryant shined for Loko. Kuban took the lead in the next quarter. Mantas Kalnietis got it to double-digits before the halftime break (38:27). Avtodor scored only 12 points in the second quarter while the Red-greens did almost twice as much.
Saratov started the second half with more energy and reduced the gap down to 10 points – 55:45. But the next thing was Loko’s 8:0 run thanks to O’Bryant, Will Cummings and Dmitriy Kulagin’s efforts. Avtodor were put back where they were. Kuban were increasing the lead leaving Avtodor with the only objective not to let them hit 100. Even though Avtodor succeeded in this one, Loko stays on a winning track. After signing with Evgeny Pashutin, they won 7 games in a row. Tonight they matched CSKA in nomber of wins (12 each).
Hero
Johnny O’Bryant. The guests’ big men outplayed their rivals from Saratov Isaiah Hicks and Mouhammadou Jaiteh. O’Bryant had his season-high scoring game this season.
Stat
50 rebounds is Loko’s best this season. Saratov responded with only 37 rebounds.
Comments
Avtodor head coach Predrag Krunic:
“That was a quality game by Loko and a fair win. We were unstable. Our turnovers were a key factor to Loko’s victory. We tried to come back and showed some good basketball, but then again comitted mistakes and allowed Loko score off them. I want to thank our fans big time. Even when we were trailing they stayed with the team, hepled and supported us. What was good about the game is that we never gave up fighting and managed to win the last quarter even with a huge gap.”
Lokomotiv-Kuban head coach Evgeny Pashutin:
“I’d like to congratulate my team with a victory. The guys had the right attitude tonight. We knew it was not going to be easy as Avtodor is a serious rival. With great mentality, especially at home. It is an athletic, running team, no. 2 rebounders in VTB League. Plus the signed Boatright, Johnson got back. Our goal was to play intense in the defense, stop their fastbreaks, and make them play slow and position-driven plays, control the snipers and not allow open shots from the perimeter, force one on one plays. I think we did it, but still there are things to analyze and improve our defense.”
Next
Avtodor: February 9 at Zielona Gora
Lokomotiv-Kuban: February 10 vs Zenit
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