Zenit defeated Lokomotiv Kuban in Krasnodar – 91:86 (22:21, 24:19, 21:20, 24:26).
Game progress
For both teams, the game was very important. That’s why in the opening period the rivals showed tough game. Zenit began to gradually pull away with Sergey Karasev three-pointers. By the middle of the second quarter, the St. Petersburg team lead was already double-digit, but Loko didn’t allow the guests to go farther away – 46:40.
The third quarter also followed Xavier Pascual scenario. Once again, the St. Petersburg team managed to get a 10-point lead, and once again the hosts were able to not let the opponent go far. And at the start of the final quarter, Loko showed made 3 long-range shots in a row and got closer to Zenit. Loko took the lead for the first time since the start of the second quarter after Jaylen Barford made shot – 75:74.
Key moment
At the end of the game, the tension was very high. Loko had a bad stretch: first, Maurice Ndour fouled out, then Kyle Kuric made another three-pointer to give the guests the lead back – 82:79. In the final possession, the Krasnodar team made 5-second violation. The final seconds stretched to several minutes: during that time, Alexander Sekulic received a technical foul. Zenit secures third place and continues to chase the regular season second place.
X-factor
Kyle Kuric and Trent Frazier provided strong support for Zenit off the bench: the duo combined for 39 points. Only Jaylen Barford was able to give them worthy competition. The final 9-point difference in the duel between the bench players was the key.
Fact
Before the final game days of the regular season, 3 teams headed the standings with 25 wins in 35 games.
In the second stage, Zenit lost only 1 game out of 9.
Leaders
Lokomotiv Kuban: Jalen Barford (22), Okaro White (15 + 6 rebounds), Maurice Ndour (14 + 7 rebounds + 4 steals), DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell (10).
Zenit: Trent Frazier (21), Kyle Kuric (18), Thomas Heurtel (16), Sergey Karasev (14 + 5 steals), Vince Hunter (11).
What’s next
Lokomotiv Kuban (23-12): April 13 at home versus Enisey
Zenit (25-10): April 14 at home against PARMA.
