Lokomotiv-Kuban get a road win over Zenit in the game of the week – 86:80 (16:23, 24:30, 24:15, 22:12)
Top scorers
Zenit: Will Thomas (17), Colton Iverson (14), Mateusz Ponitka (11 + 5 assists).
Lokomotiv-Kuban: Johnny O’Bryant (18), Sam Dekker (13), Will Cummings (12 + 5 assists).
Story
These Big five teams had a series of poor games. In the last four games, Zenit’s record was 1-3 (including Eurocup), and Loko hit 2-2.
Krasnodar took a slow start scoring the first points only 4 minutes after the tip-off. Zenit was leading 9:3 in the debut, and that’s how the first half went: Lokomotiv was behind. Each time Kuban were about to level the game (11:14, 28:30), Zenit responded with strong runs. The most notable run was made by Andrew Albicy in the second quarter as he scored 11 points in a row getting the double digit lead (43:33). In the first 20 minutes, Zenit had 70% FG (7 of 11 three-pointers) and built a 13-point lead by the break – 53:40.
Zenit had 18-point lead in the third period (60:42), but Loko managed to turn it around. Johnny O’Bryant hit 9 points from both the paint and the perimeter, Sam Dekker and Vitaly Fridzon contributed to the big man’s efforts. Seconds before the end of the third quarter, Fridzon made 3 free throws making it 64:68 before the decisive period.
Key moment
Lokomotiv came back to the game with a long run 24:8. Krasnodar kept rolling in the final quarter – starting with a 14:4 run – and got into clutch as a leaders (78:72). Zenit suffered fouls of Anton Pushkov and Colton Iverson, missed Gustavo Ayon to injury. Combined with Loko’s strong frontcourt that created troubles for Saint Petersburg.
Home team’s offense was desperate and unsuccessful. Their last hope was Will Thomas’ “and one” – 75:80, 2 minutes before the buzzer. But that’s how it all stopped. Loko cooled down the game and got a victory to jump into Top-3 in standings. This win was also a revenge for a painful loss in 2019 playoffs quarterfinal.
This game brings Zenit down to the 8th place in standings.
Stat
3 consecutive losses for Zenit. They still haven’t won at home in 2019/20 season.
Hero
Johnny O’Bryant. Loko’s center played key role in the run of the second half helping Kuban come back.
Photo
