Uralmash defeated MBA in Moscow – 90:87 (26:23, 21:27, 21:23, 22:14).
Game progress
MBA players started the game in their typical style – fastbreaks and three-pointers. But the Moscow team had poor percentage – only 1out of 8. The guests faced another problem – Octavius Ellis was injured. But Anton Glazunov and Aleksandr Zakharov three-pointers let the team won the first quarter – 26:23.
By the middle of the second quarter, Ellis absence began to affect on offense – the team couldn’t score for 3 minutes and allowed the opponent to take the lead. Evgeny Voronov scored 19 points in the half and helped MBA to had a lead bu the halftime – 50:47.
After the break, Uralmash took the lead with Tyrell Nelson 9 points – 59:61. But Vasily Karasev team picked up the pace again and regained a 5-point lead before the final quarter.
Key moment
The fourth quarter started with Aleksandr Khomenko three-pointer, which brought MBA lead to 8 points. However, over the next 4 minutes the Moscow team made only 1 shot and missed a 10-2 run that allowed Uralmash to get back into the game – 78:78 5 minutes before the end.
Nelson made a free throw and then scored once again to put Uralmash ahead – 85:82. Evgeny Minchenko committed an offensive foul. After that, the Moscow team had to foul aggressively, hoping for missing free-throws. But Garrett Nevels made 5 of 5. In the last possession, Evgeny Voronov tried to score three-pointer to tie the game, but missed.
X-factor
Uralmash defense helped to win the game. The guests well-coordinated defense allowed MBA to make only 24% of three-pointers and forced 20 turnovers.
Fact
The teams were neighbors in the standings before the game. Today’s win allowed Uralmash to return to the Top-8 after a 3-game losing streak.
Leaders
MBA: Evgeny Voronov (23), Aleksandr Khomenko (18).
Uralmash: Garrett Nevels (22 + 7 assists), Tyrell Nelson (17 + 6 rebounds), Javonte Douglas (15).
What’s next
MBA (5-7): November 26 on the road versus UNICS
Uralmash (6-6): November 27 at home against Enisey.
