UNICS defeated Zenit in the Semifinals Game 2 at home – 68:59 (15-10, 22-25, 8-11, 23-13).
Game progress
Zenit hoped to take revenge for their huge loss in the Game 1. Both teams began with slow pace . The play put Zenit in a sleeping mode, and at the start of the second quarter, UNICS made an 11-1 run. Jalen Reynolds was the key player of this segment, starting with and-one and ended with three-pointer.
UNICS immediately got a double-digit advantage – 26:11, but Zenit didn’t want to repeat the Game 1 scenario. Caleb Homesley became the saviour. Zenit guard repeatedly let opponents foul on him, scored threes and made a nice assist to Vitaly Fridzon, who became the key man of the second quarter. The guests game forced UNICS lead to disappear – 37:35 by the halftime.
After the break, both teams scored only 19 points in the third quarter. This was benefit for the St. Petersburg team, which got ahead and went took the lead before the final quarter – 46:45.
Key moment
The final quarter began poorly for the hosts as Zenit continued to hold the initiative. However, Nenad Dimitrijevic and Daryl Macon put UNICS ahead and Vince Hunter added significant defense and rebounding. While UNICS had the lead, Daryl Macon, who made free throws on an unusually low percentage, gave the guests a chance to get closer. With 2 minutes left in regulation, Thomas Heurtel three-pointer made the score 59:70, but it was Zenit’s last points of the game. Marcos Knight answered immediately with a three, and Louis Labeyrie sealed the game with a dunk. The Series moves to St. Petersburg with the Kazan team lead – 2:0.
Key Factor
Thomas Heurtel failed to manage the offense: 2 assists was worst result in all his time with the St. Petersburg team.
Fact
Before the game, Jalen Reynolds was named Sixth Man of the Year. Reynolds again proved his worth in today’s game: In 19 minutes on the floor, he was the second-best player in UNICS.
Leaders
UNICS: Vince Hunter (15 + 7 rebounds, 3 steals), Jalen Reynolds (14 + 6 rebounds), Marcos Knight (12 + 5 rebounds), Nenad Dimitrijevic (11 + 6 assists).
Zenit: Caleb Homesley (17 + 6 rebounds), Thomas Heurtel (10)
Next game: April 21 in St. Petersburg.
