Nizhny Novgorod defeated VEF on the road, 78-73 (20-16, 17-16, 13-18, 28-23).
Top Scorers
VEF: Martins Meiers (19+5 reb), Mareks Mejeris (17+15 reb), Janis Blums (10)
Nizhny Novgorod: Alexander Gudumak (16), Petr Gubanov (13+7 reb), Dijon Thompson (13), Ivan Strebkov (12+5 ast), Tomislav Zubcic (12+5 reb)
Turning Point
Through the first three quarters, VEF and Nizhny Novgorod were deadlocked at 50-50. The visitors, who trailed Riga by 3.5 games in the standings, seized control midway through the final period by limiting VEF to two points over four minutes.
Tomislav Zubcic and Dijon Thompson helped Nizhny take advantage, knocking down a 3-pointer and converting a three-point play, respectively.
Leading by six, 23-year-old Alexander Gudumak hit back-to-back shots, giving Nizhny an eight-point advantage.
VEF continued to threaten, closing within four several times in the final minutes, but couldn’t get a stop. Gudumak slammed the door shut in the final seconds with a powerful dunk, finishing with a season-high 16 points.
Thanks to the victory, Nizhny moves into a tie with Avtodor for 9th place, 1.5 games back of Astana for the final playoff spot. VEF drops into a tie for 7th with Enisey.
Stat
63 – Combined age of the League’s two youngest coaches: Janis Gailitis (31) of VEF and Arturs Stalbergs (32) of Nizhny Novgorod.
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Up Next
VEF: February 27 at Tsmoki-Minsk
Nizhny Novgorod: March 5 at Khimki
