Astana beat Samara on the road – 74:72 (24:16, 16:22, 16:16, 18:18).
Game progress
The Kazakh team used size advantage from the opening minutes and achieved a double-digit lead – 16:6. Samara offense was revitalized by Andrei Sopin. The guard scored 10 points and 3 assists, which allowed the hosts to take the lead midway through the second quarter. But timeout by Gleb Plotnikov helped Astana respond with 2 three-pointers and end the first half leading – 40:38.
Key moment
After the halftime, the score difference was 4 points on average. Sopin played without substitutions and led the hosts, while the Kazakh team offense was built around Utomi, Danila Pokhodiaev and T.J. Starks. After 12 lead changes over the second half, the teams entered the clutch with tie – 72:72. Utomi got a chance to get win for Astana with at free throws and made both. Sopin attempted three-pointer to win, but missed. Astana got first road win in tense ending.
X-factor
An important reason for Astana win was the performance of the rotation players. The guests bench scored 14 points, while the hosts rotation scored only 6 points.
Facts
Andrei Sopin played all 40 minutes for the first time in the VTB United League, set career-high 10 assist and recorded his first double-double.
Astana ended a 10-game losing streak and won on the road for the first time in the season.
Daniel Utomi made the game-winning free throws and also scored 500th point this season.
Leaders
Samara: Andrei Sopin (21 + 10 assists + 6 rebounds), Egor Amosov (12 + 7 rebounds), Ilya Platonov (12 + 6 rebounds), Nikita Kosyakov (12 + 5 rebounds).
Astana: Danila Pokhodiaev (18 + 7 rebounds), Daniel Utomi (13), T.J. Starks (12 + 5 rebounds + 5 assists).
What’s next
Samara: March 29 on the road versus PARMA
Astana: March 30 on the road against MBA-MAI.
