Uralmash beat MBA in Moscow – 81:78 (25:16, 17:16, 24:20, 22:19).
Game progress
In the first 4 minutes, the teams had only 4 made shots. The guests ended the drought and 12 straight points and 4 points by Garrett Nevels brought Uralmash lead to 9. The Moscow team got within one three-pointer after long-range shots by Timofey Yakushin and Andrey Lopatin, but after a timeout, Uralmash made a 9:1 run and had a double-digit lead by the end of the first half – 42:32.
MBA players started to score three-pointers, but Uralmash kept a comfortable lead with aggressive defense and Kirill Pisklov 8 points. Towards the end of the third quarter, the Moscow team nevertheless made a 7:2 run, and was down by only 6 points before the last quarter – 62:56.
Key moment
The hosts continued the chase with Yakushin and Vladislav Trushkin three-pointers. The Moscow team were stopped by commiting fouls. After 7 free throws and a mid-range shot by Octavius Ellis, Uralmash regained a double-digit lead 3 minutes before the end – 77:66. MBA made an attempt to get back into the game, but Uralmash players didn’t let it go and got the 3rd consecutive win – 81:78.
X-factor
Stanley Whittaker played an important role in the guests’ victory. The American had his most productive game in the VTB United League, scoring 19 points and making five steals. The point guard led the team’s decisive spurt, scoring 8 points in the last 5 minutes of the game.
Fact
Uralmash was able to get a 3 straight wins in the VTB United League for the first time. The win in Moscow became the first one since December 10, 2023. Back then, Uralmash defeated Avtodor in Saratov 98:87.
Leaders
MBA: Andrey Lopatin (19), Vladislav Trushkin (17 + 7 rebounds), Timofey Yakushin (12), Evgeny Voronov (11).
Uralmash: Stanley Whittaker (19 + 5 steals), Octavius Ellis (16 + 5 rebounds), Kirill Pisklov (13), Garrett Navels (11), Aleksandr Zakharov (10).
What’s next
MBA (8-19): February 13 on the road versus Pari Nizhny Novgorod
Uralmash (14-13): February 13 on the road against MINSK
