Nizhny Novgorod topped Enisey at home – 83:79 (29:19, 15:12, 16:15, 23:33).
Top scorers
Nizhny Novgorod: Anton Astapkovich (18), Aleksandr Gankevich (14), Kasey Shepherd (14), Artem Komolov (11), Ivan Strebkov (10 + 7 assists).
Enisey: Dustin Hogue (17 + 6 rebounds), Mikhail Kulagin (16), Aleksandr Gudumak (14), Leyton Hammonds (13).
Story
The hosts started the game by proving the status of the most successful three-pointer team. Evgeny Baburin and Artem Komolov started the run. Big men Aleksandr Gankevich and Luke Petrasek supported their actions playing pick and rolls with Ivan Strebkov. Meanwhile, Anton Astapkovich fired from different distances. The Siberians hoped on individual skills of their international players, but it didn’t help. Nizhny won the first quarter – 29:19.
In the second quarter, Krasnoyarsk adjusted perimeter and pick and roll defense. It helped to slow down the opposition offense. But then they faced own offensive problems. Leaders’ individual skills didn’t help, and Nizhny even increased the lead – 44:31.
🚀 Александр Ганькевич дает жару в 1-й половине игры в Нижнем Новгороде против «Енисея»! pic.twitter.com/m0ET3C767G
— VTB League (@VTBUL) December 20, 2020
Nizhny remained control in the third quarter. With Komolov, Gankevich and Astapkovich, they even reached +20, but the guests responded with a 10-point run. It felt like, the Siberians would keep the pressure, but Nizhny won the end of the quarter again. With a 14-point lead they looked like a frontrunner – 60:46.
Key moment
In the final quarter, the guests finally found their rhythm. Aggressive defense, Mikhail Kulagin’s skills, work in paint by Aleksandr Gudumak and Dustin Hogue started their comeback. A minute with something before the buzzer the score was – 73:73.
However, Kasey Shepherd aced this clutch moment. First, the American created an open shot for Astapkovich, and then scored a contested three-pointer – 78:73. Later on, it was the game of fouls, where Nizhny managed to win.
Hero
Kasey Shepherd wasn’t the brightest player throughout most part of the game. But in the decisive 10 minutes, he stepepd out with 10 points.
Stat
4. NN don’t lose at home this season. This was their 4th straight win at home.
Comment
Nizhny Novgorod head coach Zoran Lukic:
“Very intense game for us. I said before the game that the win is important for us, and for our opponents. Enisey deserve to be ranked higher, so I knew they would fight till the end. At times, we controlled the game, but then lost four players who were fouled out. That’s why we lost balance. Thank God, we played what we wanted in key episodes and won.”
Enisey head coach Drazen Anzulovic:
“Congrats to Nizhny. They showed more quality especially in the end. We missed some free throws in the last two minutes. It is too much for a game like this, and it was key element in our loss. Nizhny controlled three quarters, but we kept on trying to come back and levelled the game. Unfortunately, those free throws and Nizhny’s shots left no chance for us.”
Nizhny Novgorod: December 28 vs Kalev
Enisey: January 3 vs Zenit
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