UNICS defeated Runa in Moscow – 84:78 (26:19, 20:22, 26:15, 22:12).
Game progress
UNICS had a double-digit lead in the opening quarter: despite the absence of Jalen Reynolds, the guests found spots in the paint time after time. However, the hosts were able to quickly recover from this and Alex Tyus exploded for 6 straight points, which allowed Runa to get within 3 points (30:27). By the halftime, Aleksa Radanov and Nikola Jovanovic duo managed to put Runa ahead. Still, UNICS took the lead at the end of the first half – 46:41.
Key moment
In the second half, UNICS continued to dominate in the paint. Runa managed to get within 3 points, but the Kazan team responded with an 8:0 run, giving them a double-digit lead again – 54:43. The hosts was still able to briefly restore intrigue. A few minutes before the end, Ivanovic and Radanov kicked off a 16:4 run, but it only allowed the hosts to avoid a major loss – the Moscow team didn’t have time for more.
UNICS got its 16th win of the season and got closer to CSKA.
X-factor
The Kazan team bigmen tried to close all paths to the rim, punishing the opponents time after time. Louis Labeyrie had 4 blocks (repeating his career-high), and Ismael Bako added 2 more.
Fact
UNICS is not the most three-point shooting team in the League, but in the game against Runa showed some truly old-school basketball: the guests made only 10 three-pointers (2 were in the final minutes). By comparison, the opponents made 23 long-range shots, although accuracy let Runa down – only 6 shots were in.
Leaders
Runa: Nikola Ivanovic (21 + 6 assists + 3 steals), Alex Tyus (12 + 6 rebounds), Ilia Popov (12), Aleksa Radanov (10 + 5 rebounds), Jeremiah Hill (10 + 5 rebounds + 5 assists + 4 steals).
UNICS: Nenad Dimitrijevic (19 + 8 assists), Marcos Knight (19 + 8 rebounds + 4 assists), Ismael Bako (12 + 8 rebounds), Louis Laberi (11 + 7 rebounds + 4 blocked shots).
What’s next
Runa: January 13 on the road versus Enisey.
UNICS: January 8 on the road against Enisey.
