UNICS defeated MBA-MAI at home – 82:71 (19:24, 21:13, 24:19, 18:15).
Game progress
The guests started the game aggressively, and their activity quickly paid off. High accuracy allowed to rely on three-pointers (66.7%). The superiority in rebounds (11-6) prevented UNICS from correcting mistakes in finishing. The Moscow team problem was number of fouls (10-5). The Kazan team players stepped up to the line 14 times in the first quarter. 10 free throw points allowed to keep the opponent from pulling away.
A short break helped UNICS regroup, resulting in an 11-2 run that put the hosts back in the lead. The Kazan team tightened up the defense, making 5 blocks by the middle of the game, and took the lead in rebounds (21-17).
MBA-MAI managed to get back into the game after the halftime, but the hosts’ defense did not allow to hope for more. After three quarters, the Moscow team had only made about 35% of two-point shots.
Key moment
In the final quarter, the guests seemed unable to find a solution to offensive problems. UNICS started the fourth quarter with a 7-0 run, but then gave up 9 unanswered points. Jalen Reynolds and Dmitriy Kulagin took the game into their own hands and prevented a close finish.
X-factor
UNICS’ defense was the key to win. The Kazan team managed to stop the guests, who had gained momentum from the start, and prevent the opponent from scoring in the paint at crucial moments.
Facts
UNICS set a new season-high 9 blocks.
Velimir Perasovic had his 200th game with UNICS. He is the 4th coach with such a record with one team in the VTB League.
Marcus Bingham recorded his sixth double-double of the season with 19 points and 10 rebounds.
UNICS won its 23rd consecutive home game in the regular season.
Leaders
UNICS: Marcus Bingham (19 + 10 rebounds + 4 blocks), Jalen Reynolds (19), Andrey Lopatin (11), Dmitriy Kulagin (11)
MBA-MAI: Pavel Savkov (18 + 5 rebounds), Aleksandr Platonov (10), Pasha Ismailov (10)
What’s next
UNICS: January 21 on the road against Samara
MBA-MAI: January 21 at home versus Zenit.
