Enisey beat UNICS at home – 95:93 (31:22, 24:22, 22:23, 18:26).
Top Scorers
Enisey: Davion Berry (21), Denis Zakharov (20 + 5 rebounds), Nikola Rebic (15), Tomislav Zubcic (12 + 7 rebounds)
UNICS: Errick McCollum (25 + 9 assists + 5 rebounds), Jamar Smith (17), Alex Tyus(12 + 5 rebounds), Pavel Sergeev (12), Raymar Morgan (12 + 6 rebounds)
Story
From the very beginning game was high-scoring. The hosts were active in opponents’ paint, Kazan were shooting from downtown. Siberian plan in first quarter was more successful. Zubcic confidence, who scored10 points, 12 accurate free throws and excellent 3-point FG percentage let Krasnoyarsk create a solid lead – 31:22. In the beginning of the second quarter Jamar Smith tried to put his team back in the game. The American hit a few highly-contested shots from the 3-point line but there was no further comeback. Enisey’s leaders got involved in 3-point race thus with the help of Zakharov and Berry Krasnoyarsk increased their lead – 55:44
The start of the third gave fans another episode of long-range duel. Three makes from behind the arc by Sergeev were answered with Berry and Rebic’s threes. At some point in fast coast-to-coast game Krasnoyarsk increased the differential up to 20 points – 73:53. But the ending of the quarter was controlled by UNICS: Kazan turned the defence on, hit a few shots in early possession and reduced the gap twice – 67:77.
Key moment
As usual, in clutch moment Errick McCollum was a leader on the court. It was his accurate shots that made the game interesting again. The game was decided in tough clutch. Jamar Smith’s three with 19 seconds left on the shotclock gave the guests the hope about overtime – 93:93. But in the next possession Davion Berry made a crossover and drained a game-winning mid-range – 95:93.
After this win Enisey outpaced UNICS in standings and how hold fourth place. In case of Loko lose to Zielona Gora on Saturday, Krasnoyarsk will finish 2019 year on the third spot.
Hero
Davion Berry was a top scorer on the roster scoring 21 points and hit a game-winner
Stat
46 – Enisey set season-high in free throws. 46 free throws – repeat of the third result in the history of the league.
Comments
Enisey’s head coach Drazen Anzulovic:
– Congratulations to my players – this is a very important win for us. We had big problems after the game in Nizhny Novgorod – we were playing without 5 main players. I really like how we were playing in first 25 minutes, when we led 20 points. But then we relaxed too much and game the rivals the opportunity to reduce the gap fully. We had lots of chances to finish the game not in clutch. Thank God we won.
UNICS’ head coach Dimitrios Priftis:
– Frist of all I’d like to congratulate Enisey. It was a very interesting game. We deserved the win in last 10 minutes of play, Enisey – in first 30. We had an opportunity in the ending but lost it. I have something to say to my players but it doesn’t minimize Enisey’s achievement.
Next
Enisey: January 5 vs Astana
UNICS: January 4 at Avtodor
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