MBA defeated Samara on the road – 73:69 (19:17, 22:20, 20:18, 14:12).
Game progress
Vasily Karasev team started the game without his nominal center, which allowed the guests to pick up the pace and made 4 three-pointers. Samara responded with mid-range shots. In the second quarter, both teams began to look for opportunities in the paint, keeping each other close. The scoring continued until the final possessions of the first half, with the lead changing 6 times. But in the last 2 minutes of the game MBA still managed to organize a run and took the lead by the halftime – 41:37.
The Moscow team started the second half with confidence and had a 16-point lead by the middle of the third quarter. Justin Roberson led the Volga team comeback. The American guard scored 7 points in a row and made several assists, cutting the difference to 6 points before the final quarter – 61:56.
Key moment
The fourth quarter began with Samara equalising the score – 66:66. From that point on, both teams switched on defense, making it difficult for each other to score points. The fate of the game was largely decided by free throws. First, Daniil Kasatkin made 2 of 2, then Andrey Lopatin scored both.
Roberson responded with 2 points and even had a chance to tie the game in the final seconds. But the American guard shot was blocked by Vladislav Trushkin, giving Samara no chance to win the game. MBA still managed to get their 7th win in a row.
X-factor
Despite the fact that Samara showed better free throw percentage throughout the game (92% vs. 77%), the Moscow team showed cold blood at the key moment of the game. The guests made 7 of 8 attempts in the last 5 minutes, which helped to get a win.
Fact
MBA current winning streak has already reached 7 games and becomes longest in the League. If the team will be able to beat Runa, the Moscow team will have the longest winning streak among Group B teams this season, and will also set a League-high among the newcomers of the last 2 years.
Leaders
Samara: Justin Roberson (16), Nikola Rebic (11), Javontae Hawkins (10 + 6 rebounds)
MBA: Vladislav Trushkin (18), Andrey Lopatin (15 + 6 rebounds), Daniil Kasatkin (13 + 6 assists), Makar Konovalov (10).
What’s next
Samara (20-17): April 7 at home versus Avtodor
MBA (16-21): April 7 on the road against Runa.
