UNICS defeated Enisey at home – 91:80 (17:22, 28:15, 22:21, 24:22).
Game progress
UNICS started the game with 2 spectacular alley-oops by Nenad Dimitrijevic and Ismael Bako. But the guests quickly took the lead with Xavier Rathan-Mayes help. The Canadian guard made a couple three-pointers and also make Dmitry Kulagin to commit fouls.
As the first quarter progressed, the Siberian team had a 9-point lead – 22:13. But the Kazan team found the hero. Eric Green led the hosts. The guard made 5 of 7 shots and surpassed Rathan-Mayes in points by the halftime (13 vs. 10). Teammates supported Green. Marcos Knight and Nenad Dimitrijevic organized UNICS run at the end of the second quarter, which gave a comfortable lead – 45:37.
The third quarter became a shootout between Rathan-Mayes and UNICS. The Canadian guard scored 17 points, but the Kazan team increased the lead – 67:58.
Key moment
It took just a 1.5 minute for the Krasnoyarsk team to get back into the game. After 3 three-pointers at the start of the final quarter, the Siberian team equalized – 67:67. The guests even managed to score twice, but didn’t have enough energy for the end. The Kazan team still managed to shut down Rathan-Mayes in the decisive minutes, but the Canadian guard teammates missed their shots. The hosts organized a 14-point run with Green, Knight, Jalen Reynolds and Dimitrijevic made shots, which gave UNICS a comfortable win.
After this UNICS win, there are no teams left in the League that have not lost in November.
X-factor
Roster rotation was a key factor in UNICS win in this game. The Kazan team bench scored three times more points than their opponents (33 vs. 11).
Fact
Enisey leader Xavier Rathan-Mayes continues to surprise with his achievements. The Canadian guard has scored more than 30 points in 4 straight game. In addition to 36 points (his third-highest of the season), the guard repeated his current season records in efficiency (41) and opponent fouls (12). Rathan-Mayes also renewed his career-high in the League in rebounds (9).
Leaders
UNICS: Markos Knight (21), Nenad Dimitrijevic (19 + 8 rebounds + 7 assists), Eric Green (18).
Enisey: Xavier Rathan-Mayes (36 + 9 rebounds), Jeremiah Martin (10), Mikel Hopkins (10).
What’s next
UNICS (8-2): November 23 at home against CSKA
Enisey (7-4): November 22 at home versus Astana.
