Enisey defeated CSKA in Moscow – 74:65 (18:19, 21:16, 15:20, 20:10).
Game progress
On their first possession, the hosts opened the score after Melo Trimble drive to the basket. In the end, CSKA completely took the lead in the opening quarter. After Ivan Ukhov three-pointer, the hosts had a double-digit lead – 12:2. The Siberian team had some problems entering into the game, but was able get up by the middle of the first quarter. The guests started the quarter with Sergey Dolinin made shots, and then Enisey leaders Xavier Rathan-Mayes and Jeremiah Martin got involved. After the duo shots, the Krasnoyarsk team took the lead for the first time in the game – 18:16.
The game was equal throughout the second quarter. But the guests still took the lead by the end of the first half – 39:35.
Key moment
After the halftime, CSKA got the lead back. But the Moscow team made all of the shots only in the third quarter. Enisey defense was up and running. The hosts scored their first points of the quarter only in the final minute. By that time, the Krasnoyarsk team had already secured a comfortable lead – 72:63, which allowed to take a confident win.
X-factor
Enisey surprised with the defense. The team allowed opponents to score 100 points on average in the second stage and managed to stop the League’s best offense. The Army team has the lowest scoring game of the season (65 points). However, the Siberian team defense is one of the most uncomfortable. The Moscow team wasn’t able to score more than 80 points against Enisey.
Fact
Enisey beat CSKA in Moscow for the first time in its history. This win was the first for the Siberian team in the second stage of the regular season. In addition, the Krasnoyarsk team had another unique achievement. For the first time in VTB League history, Enisey beat every League team at least once during the season.
Xavier Rathan-Mayes became the second player in VTB League history to make more than 100 three-pointers in a single season. Enisey guard now has 101 three-pointers made and is just 2 steps away from Alexey Shved 103 made three-pointers record.
Anton Astapkovic moved into the League’s Top 25 in points.CSKA forward surpassed Corey Higgins (1,616 points) and has 1,622 points.
Leaders
CSKA: Amath M’Baye (16), Melo Trimble (13).
Enisey: Jeremiah Martin (28), Xavier Rathan-Mayes (21), Mikel Hopkins (11 + 11 rebounds), Beau Beech (3 + 10 rebounds).
What’s next
CSKA (24-8): March 25 at home versus Zenit
Enisey (17-15): March 24 on the road against PARMA.
