Samara beat MBA on the road – 79:69 (19:17, 19:20, 22:16, 19:16).
Game progress
Justin Roberson and good defense allowed Samara to start with a 6:0 run. Despite the fact that the Moscow team scored their first points only 3 minutes into the game, the hosts offense started to work at full speed. Fastbreaks and combinations helped MBAto tie in the opening minutes of the second quarter. The Volga team had free throw attempts, but missed 7 and after MBA 3 long-range shots, the guests needed to catch up. But James Thompson power play and Aleksandr Gudumak shot at the buzzer gave the guests the lead back by the halftime – 38:37.
Key moment
In the first 5 minutes of the second half, Thompson and Hayden Dalton organized a 14:5 run and helped to get a double-digit lead for the first time in the game – 52:42. Daniil Kasatkin and Vladislav Trushkin helped MBA with a comeback attempt and able to cut the lead to 4 points. But 2 three-pointers in a row by Yuri Umrikhin gave the guests back a comfortable difference. After that, the Moscow team couldn’t get back into the game. Throughout the final quarter, Dalton and Roberson scored points, while Thompson dominated in the paint. The Volga team confidently took the win – 79:69.
X-Factor
One of the important factors in Samara win was rebounding. The guests made 13 more rebounds than the opponent (41 versus 28), and James Thompson recorded a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds.
Fact
Daniil Kasatkin had his best game in 2024 with 21 points and combined for 207 points this season with Aleksandr Khomenko.
Leaders
MBA: Daniil Kasatkin (21), Vladislav Trushkin (14 + 6 rebounds), Aleksandr Khomenko (11).
Samara: Justin Roberson (19), James Thompson (16 + 10 rebounds), Hayden Dalton (12 + 9 rebounds), Nikola Rebic (11 + 5 assists).
What’s next
MBA (9-20): March 6 at home versus Avtodor
Samara (16-13): March 6 on the road against Uralmash.
