Zenit ouptlayed PARMA in away game – 84:82 (21:20, 21:23, 23:20, 19:19).
Top scorers
PARMA: Maksim Grigoryev (16), Nikolai Zhmako (15), Adas Juskevicius (14), Evgeny Valiev (12 + 6 rebounds).
Zenit: Austin Hollins (15), Dmitry Khvostov (14 + 6 assists), Will Thomas (12 + 10 rebounds + 5 assists), Gustavo Ayon (11 + 7 rebounds), Andrey Zubkov (10).
Story
Petersburg came to URAL with a bag of sad 4 consecutive losses. Plus, they came to Perm withouth the head coached who had been sacked. This brought a hope to the hosts to extend their record-breaking 4-game winning streak.
However, the guests took control over the first quarter. Aggressive defense, confident performance of Hollins in the offense and Zenit took the lead 15:6. Juskevicius started PARMA’s bailout (9 points in the quarter). The Lithuanian’s shots gave a positive vibe to the team. After a buzzer by Grigoryev, PARMA were trailing by only 1 – 20:21.
Grigoryev reserved the sniper’s mood for the seconds quarter. Three long-range shots and PARMA controls the game. The hosts sank 7 three-pointers by the halftime (7 of 15, 46%) to make it 43:42.
St Petersburg switched to three-pointer mode after the halftime break. Vladislav Trushkin made a contribution (2 shots made in 3Q). However, it didn’t make a big difference. Zenit were leading by only 2 points before the final quarter – 65:63.
Key moment
The clutch moment determined the result. Nikolai Zhmako equalized 7 seconds to the buzzer (82:82). Petersburg had their time to grab a W and they took the chance. Drive by Khvostov, pass to Thomas, fake move and a perfect shot from the paint to get the lead 84:82. With 2 seconds left, Perm tried to make a miracle happen, but Mejeris’ desperate three-pointer was no good.
Hero
Will Thomas showed how versatile he is. 12 points plus 10 rebounds (5 offensive) and 5 assists. This made the Amercian the most efficient player of Zenit (18). Moreover, Thomas was the hero of the cluth as he scored a game-winner.
Stat
4. Two streakes stopped today. PARMA’s winning and Zenit’s losing. Both had 4 games.
Next
PARMA: March 1 vs Zielona Gora
Zenit: March 8 at Enisey
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