Runa beat Astana in Kazakhstan – 87:79 (24:22, 14:23, 25:14, 24:20).
Game progress
Already in the opening quarter, the guests took the lead. But Runa couldn’t crush the opponent. Dmitry Gavrilov and Rustam Murzagaliev combined for 10 points, which helped the hosts hang on to the opponent. At the end of the first quarter, the Vikings led by only 2 points – 24:22.
The second quarter turned into Markell Johnson benefit. During the quarter, the American guard scored more points than all Runa players combined (15 vs. 14), giving Astana a comfortable lead at the end of the first half – 45:38.
Key moment
But Johnson energy was not enough to win the game. After the halftime, the guests regained the lead with Ilia Popov and Danila Pokhodiaev acions. Nikolay Zhmako and Jeremiah Hill gave Runa an 8-point lead – 84:76. The Moscow team didn’t let that advantage slip away.
X-factor
The guests showed real team basketball in this game. The Moscow team set thre team’s season-high 31 assists (repeating the second season-high in the entire League). Jeremiah Hill had 16 assists and renewed the season-high, which previously belonged to Thomas Heurtel (15 assists).
Fact
Today loss eliminated Astana of even a theoretical chance to compete for the play-in. As a result, MBA and Runa stay in the battle for the remaining 2 places.
Leaders
Astana: Markell Johnson (27 + 6 assists), Jordan Skipper-Brown (16), Rustam Murzagaliev (12 + 5 rebounds).
Runa: Juwan Morgan (19 + 9 rebounds), Danila Pokhodiaev (19), Ilia Popov (12 + 6 rebounds), Nikolay Zhmako (12 + 5 assists), Jeremiah Hill (11 + 16 assists + 6 rebounds).
What’s next
Astana (12-25): April 7 on the road versus Uralmash
Runa (15-22): April 7 at home against MBA.
