UNICS defeated Avtodor – 82:72 (20:17, 20:17, 21:17, 21:21).
Game progress
In the middle of the first quarter, the hosts made a 9-0 run and with Cindarius Thornwell, Rayshawn Hammonds and Dusan Beslac trio help. By the halftime, Avtodor’s foreign players had scored 26 points, but Jalen Reynolds was unstoppable. UNICS bigman scored 16 points (6 of 6 from the game), and the guests went into the second half with a slight lead – 40:36.
The Kazan team led by 13 at the start of the third quarter after 10 points from Marcos Knight and Ismael Bako. The hosts didn’t let their opponent to get away, but UNICS held a comfortable lead before the final quarter – 61:51.
Key moment
UNICS responded to every point the hosts scored and the lead had never changed at all. The final quarter ended with a tie (21:21), as the reigning champion rehabilitated after the loss to Samara.
X-factor
Jalen Reynolds was the best player of the game. In 27 minutes, the center scored 27 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks and a steal (9 of 11 from the game). He also made a career-high 4 three-pointers (out of 5).
The American finished the game with 41 eff. points and repeating the League season-high set by Xavier Rathan-Mayes.
Fact
Nenad Dimitrijevic made the 300th assist in the United League. It only took the Finals 2023 MVP two seasons to do.
Leaders
Avtodor: Rayshawn Hammonds (22 + 6 rebounds), Sindarius Thornwell (20 + 6 rebounds), Dominic Mavra (11 + 9 assists + 6 rebounds), Dusan Beslac (10).
UNICS: Jalen Reynolds (27 + 6 rebounds), Marcos Knight (22).
What’s next
Avtodor: November 4 on the road versus Samara
UNICS: November 2 at home against Astana.
