UNICS defeated Avtodor at home – 87:68 (19:21, 27:21, 21:15, 20:11).
Game progress
A win in this game would have extended UNICS streak to 6 games. However, Avtodor took the lead from the start, discouraging the Kazan team. By the end of the first quarter, the hosts managed to reduce the deficit to one possession, despite not making a single long-range shot.
In the second quarter, UNICS took the initiative. Jalen Reynolds made 2 steals. The hosts began to play more aggressively in offense, forcing Saratov team to foul. Velimir Perasovic team improved the defense and started making three-pointers, which allowed to finish the first half in the lead – 46:42.
Key moment
In the third quarter, Kazan team continued to defend excellently, which led to guests turnovers. UNICS steadily increased its lead, bringing it to 17 points.
Avtodor tried to fight back and reduced the deficit. But the hosts responded calmly with accurate shots at key moments, which ultimately brought a confident win and allowed to extend winning streak to 6 games.
X-factor
UNICS strong defense prevented Saratov team from scoring easy points. Avtodor committed 19 turnovers, which didn’t help the guests to chase the leaders of the League.
Facts
After Kazan team win, the rivalry history score is now 28-2, UNICS leads.
The Saratov team has never won in Kazan, the last win over UNICS was on October 2021 at home.
Three of the League’s Top 5 best scoring players participated in this game: Marcus Bingham (22.0), Jalen Reynolds (21.8) and Dusan Beslac (20.4).
UNICS has had its best start to the season since 2022. Back then, the team had 8 wins at the start of the regular season, but were stopped by CSKA in Moscow.
Leaders
UNICS: Paris Lee (18 + 10 assists), Marcus Bingham (18 + 7 rebounds), Jalen Reynolds (17), C.J. Bryce (12 + 6 rebounds), Dmitry Kulagin (11 + 6 assists)
Avtodor: Vitalius Pranauskis (14), Terrence Edwards (13 + 5 rebounds), Dusan Beslac (11), Grigory Motovilov (10), Igor Volkhin (10)
What’s next
UNICS: October 25 on the road against CSKA
Avtodor: October 29 at home versus Lokomotiv Kuban.
