Pari Nizhny Novgorod beat Runa at home – 67:59 (14:20, 23:11, 20:16, 10:12).
Game progress
Pari Nizhny Novgorod lost 3 games in a row, Runa had 2 straight losses. Nizhny started with 3 three-pointers, but failed to increase the lead. The Moscow team quickly got back into the game. As a result, after Nikola Ivanovic and Andrey Sopin long-range shots, the guests led by 6 after first half. Casey Shepherd, who returned to NN, was the hero of the second quarter. The American guard scored 7 points and made several assists.
Midway through the third quarter, Shepherd scored 2 three-pointers in 34 seconds. Soon Aleksa Novakovic backed up his momentum with another three-pointer. As a result, the hosts had a double-digit lead before the final quarter.
Key moment
The fourth quarter was followed by Zoran Lukic plan. The hosts managed to dry up the game, and both teams scored 22 points combined. Runa had no chances to make a comeback. Nizhny Novgorod won their 2nd game in the last 14 games.
X-factor
On Monday, Pari NN announced the return of Shepherd, and on Wednesday he already made his season debut. He did well: 21 points, 5 rebounds, 8 assists and 1 steal on 6 of 11 from the game (3 of 5 three-pointers). The VTB League record holder for points in a single quarter (26 in 2020 against Khimki) was the key player of the game.
Fact
Runa distributed two-pointers (30) and three-point attempts (26) equally, but had serious problems with making those shots (5 made shots and 19.2%). The newcomers scored only 59 points – Runa’s least scoring game in the United League.
Leaders
Pari Nizhny Novgorod: Casey Shepherd (21 + 5 rebounds + 8 assists), Aleksa Novakovic (16), Evgenii Baburin (9).
Runa: Aleksa Radanov (15 + 6 rebounds), Jeremiah Hill (13), Nikola Ivanovic (11 + 6 assists).
What’s next
Pari Nizhny Novgorod (5-12): December 24 at home against Enisey
Runa (8-10): December 23 at home versus MBA.
