Uralmash beat Samara on the road – 83:77 (27:19, 22:20, 19:20, 15:18).
Game progress
Uralmash took lead at the start of the first quarter. A 15:2 run led to Samara timeout. Gradually, the hosts recovered and began to get back into the game. At one point, only 3 points remained from the maximum 15-point difference. However, Uralmash found its hero – Octavius Ellis. The guests started another run and by the end of the first half Uralmash continued to hold a double-digit lead – 49:39.
In the third quarter, the same Ellis increased the distance to 16 points. Samara responded again. This time Hayden Dalton led the teams offense. At the start of the fourth quarter, his three-pointer cut the hosts deficit to almost a minimum – 68:64.
Key moment
The last 5 minutes of the game were tense. The difference was always balanced around 8-10 points. Zagorac and Dalton helped Samara stay in the game, but the hosts had no time for a comeback. The key thing was to keep the final 4-point difference, which could affect the standings at the end of the season, but Javonte Douglas made free throws at the last second to give Uralmash the final lead – 83:77.
X-factor
Since Uralmash had problems with tree-point shooting (4 of 19), the guests focused on the paint. Rostislav Vergun team made 25 free throws, and Octavius Ellis missed only one of his 14 shots in the game.
Fact
In the season series, the Group B leaders are tied: 2-2 in wins and the same number of points scored and points allowed. If Samara had kept the 4-point difference at the end of the game, the team would has been guaranteed first place in the standings at the end of the season, even if the Volga team will tie with with Uralmash in wins. Now, if both teams come to the end of the regular season with the same number of wins, the total score difference will be important.
Octavius Ellis repeated his United League career-high 31 points.
Leaders
Samara: Hayden Dalton (20 + 9 rebounds), Rade Zagorac (14 + 6 rebounds), Justin Roberson (12), James Thompson (10 + 6 rebounds).
Uralmash: Octavius Ellis (31), Javonte Douglas (15), Tyrell Nelson (11), Stanley Whittaker (10 + 8 assists).
What’s next
Samara (19-16): April 1 on the road versus Runa
Uralmash (21:14): March 31 at home against MINSK.
