Pari Nizhny Novgorod defeated Avtodor at home – 79:74 (20:21, 17:16, 20:19, 22:18).
Game progress
The first half was very tight. The Saratov team run didn’t last long, as Nemanja Djurisic kept the guests within comfortable difference. Although Avtodor took the first quarter, the Saratove team lead was minimal – 21:20 Dmitrii Khvostov gave Nizhny the lead with 5 straight points at the start of the second quarter. From that moment on, the game was tight with contact and constant lead changes. The score was tied by the halftime – 37:37.
The game did not change in the second half. At the start of the final quarter, the hosts managed to take a 5-point lead (the maximum advantage for both teams in this game), but Jamal Jones and Caleb Agada tied the score – 61:61.
Key moment
A 1.5 minute before the end, Sergey Zotkin made a three-pointer to give Nizhny a lead – 75:74. Bryant Crawford missed in the next possession, and Zach Nutall brought the hosts lead to 3 points. Avtodor still had a chance to at least force overtime, but Crawford long-range shot fell short again, and Zotkin shot put the game away. Nizhny Novgorod winning streak reached 3 games – the Volga tea, topped the standings for at least 24 hours.
X-factor
Sergey Zotkin scored all of his 5 points in the last minute and a half of the game. But he made the winning three-pointer, after which Avtodor was unable to tie the game.
Facts
The lead changed 19 times in the game.
Before today’s game, Avtodor was leading in the rivalry history. Pari Nizhny Novgorod tied the score (11-11), beating the Saratov team for the first time in the last 5 games.
Leaders
Pari Nizhny Novgorod: Zach Nutall (18 + 5 rebounds), Dmitrii Khvostov (11), Aubrey Dawkins (10), Alexander Khomenko (4 + 6 assists), Artem Antipov (3 + 5 rebounds).
Avtodor: Bryant Crawford (18 + 6 assists), Dusan Beslac (15 + 5 rebounds), Caleb Agada (13 + 6 rebounds), Dmitry Khaldeev (8 + 5 rebounds), Artem Klimenko (6 + 8 rebounds).
What’s next
Pari Nizhny Novgorod: October 2 at home against Uralmash
Avtodor: October 2 at home versus Lokomotiv Kuban.
