Zenit beat MBA in Moscow – 93:48 (21:18, 19:14, 25:6, 28:10).
Game progress
Vince Hunter and Trent Frazier helped Zenit build a lead at the start of the game – 14:6. The Moscow team quickly cut the difference with defense, and even took the lead early in the second quarter. However, Vasily Karasev team failed to build on the difference. In the last 5 minutes of the first half, MBA players scored only 1 point. Zenit used it and made a 13:1 run and had a comfortable 8-point lead by the halftime – 40:32.
Key moment
The third quarter was the defining. MBA offense continued to suffer – the Moscow team was able to score their first points only 4 minutes into the second half. Zenit continued to open up the defense with pick-and-rolls by Frazier and Hunter. The difference continued to grow and was already 27 point byt ht eend of the third quarter. The hosts failed to make a comeback – the last quarter was completely controlled by Zenit, where all 12 players scored points – 93:48.
X-factor
Defense was an important reason for the St. Petersburg team win. Xavier Pascual team made 15 steals (MBA had only 3). Thus, the guests repeated the season-high in steals in game.
Fact
Zenit had the best defensive game today, setting a new season-high for the lowest allowed points score. The previous high belonged to UNICS, who allowed 49 points to MINSK.
Also, the St. Petersburg team got their biggest win of the season today, surpassing the final score versus Samara by 7 points.
Leaders
MBA: Aleksandr Khomenko (10)
Zenit: Vince Hunter (17 + 5 rebounds), Trent Frazier (12 + 6 assists), Bojan Dubljevic (14 + 5 rebounds), Denis Zakharov (11).
What’s next
MBA (5-12): December 20 on the road versus Samara
Zenit (12-5): December 21 at home against Astana.
