Lokomotiv-Kuban beat Zielona-Gora at home – 93:71 (33:22, 35:24, 23:26, 18:22).
Top scorers
Lokomotiv-Kuban: Johnny O’Bryant (24 + 8 rebounds), Mindaugas Kuzminskas (19), Will Cummings (14 + 3 steals), Alan Williams (8 + 10 rebounds), Mantas Kalnietis (2 + 11 assists).
Zieona-Gora: Drew Gordon (22 + 5 rebounds), Jaroslaw Zyskowski (22), Joe Thomasson (10).
Story
In the beginning guests via Drew Gordon’s effort (9 points in the first) looked good. But Krasnodar quickly pulled themselves together. In the middle of the first makes by Johnny O’Bryant and aggressive drives by Will Cummings let Krasnodar take over the game. High-scoring performance by the Americans (15 points combined) and lock-down defense let Loko gain a comfortable lead – 26:14.
The Polish could stop the opponents run only in the second quarter, but they hardly could rely on something more. In aggressive equal game Krasnodar managed to use their chances better. Their bigs’ efforts helped Loko increase the differential more – 45:30.
There were no chasing in this game – Loko’s comfortable lead let them control the game in the second half. Jaroslaw Zyskowski had his career high in VTB League. He scored 22 points but it didn’t help Zieolona Gora come back. Krasnodar had its own heroes. Apart from “on-fire” O’Bryant and Cummings, Kulagin, Kuzminskas and Williams had their good moments.
Krasnodar’s lead after the half-break remained double digit. As a result, it helped Loko avoid nervous clutch and make it to the confident win (93:71) and stay in Top-3.
Hero
Johnny O’Bryant became the most spectacular player on Loko’s offense. Forward scored 24 points with almost perfect field goal percentage – 83% (10 of 12, 4 of 5 3PT FG).
Stat
93 – For the first time this season Loko scored 90+ points.
Comments
Lokomotiv-Kuban’s head coach Bogdan Caraicic:
– Although we were playing really well in three quarters we sometimes played not the way it was planned, could not make easy baskets. We should be absolutely focused on the result, be completely prepared for each game. Now we only think about the game against Enisey. I’d like to thank the fans, who came to see and support despite the fact that it was Monday.
Zielona Gora’s head coach Zan Tabak:
– I came to some thoughts after this game. First of all, we were worse physically. Secondly, we can play much better. Of course, our roster is weaker than some other VTB League teams’ rosters and that makes difference. But I still believe in my team and we will play the next game much more organized.
Next
Lokomotiv-Kuban: 2 December on the road vs Enisey
Zielona Gora: 7 December on the road vs UNICS
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