Zenit beat PARMA at home – 89:84 (19:21, 26:17, 25:17, 19:29).
Top scorers
Zenit: Will Thomas (24 + 11 rebounds), Kevin Pangos (21), Alex Poythress (13).
PARMA: Eigirdas Zukauskas (22), Adas Juskevicius (22), Marcel Ponitka (13 + 6 assists).
Story
Considering Euroleague games the hosts spent their 5th game in last two weeks. Such schedule influenced the results: Petersburg have 3 losses against Real, Khimki and Olympiacos. In addition, season leader is being chased by UNICS, Kazan beat Kalev recently and caught Zenit in wins number (15). PARMA lost to Zielona Gora in their last game and were 8th in standings.
Both teams stepped on the court prepared for the fight: in first 3 minutes they scored 16 points combined – 8:8. This period set the tone for the whole first quarter. The opponents were exchanging points, and the differential never grew over 5 points. In the middle of the second quarter Tarik Black and Kevin Pangos found the momentum and made 9-points hosts’ run, and Zenit’s advantage turned double digits – 39:29. But Perm continued to fight for each ball at defense and storm opponent’s paint at offense, that let the guests cut the gap a bit by the half time – 38:45.
The beginning of the third was Eigirdas Zukauskas finest hour: the Lithuanian scored 9 consecutive PARMA’s points. It let them force one possession game – 49:52. But Zenit answered with another run. Will Thomas was the key for the Perm defense. The American forward was feeling free in guests’ paint and scored 16 of 25 Zenit’s team points in the third! By the final quarter Petersburg were enjoying comfortable lead – 70:55.
Key moment
Perm made a last try to come back in the fourth. Boris Savovic, Marcel Ponitka and Eigirdas Zukauskas started to chase the guests but stopped at -7. Xavi Pascual had to make some adjustments and bring Will Thomas back on court. It worked out again. The American continued to score points and protect Zenit’s rim. Andrei Zubkov killed the intrigue with spectacular dunk on last seconds.
Hero
Will Thomas. Forward managed to prove himself and become the key factor of the victory. Thomas collected double double with 24 points and 11 rebounds.
Stat
16 points by Will Thomas in the third quarter was the key to Zenit’s success tonight.
Comments
Zenit head coach Xavier Pascual:
– We are glad we won tonight. We approached the game right, had good motivation, worked hard on both ends. Step by step we were gaining the lead, everything was fine except last 5 minutes when we lost control over the game a bit, made 3 consecutive turnovers. We’re glad that we managed to convert it into victory.
PARMA head coach Kazys Maksvytis:
– Congratulations to Zenit on the victory. We played well, especially at offense, we had good energy. I think second chance points killed us, Zenit took 14 offensive rebounds and scored 19 points, that’s the key. Tonight I’m not satisfied with our defense and rebounds.
Next
Zenit: March 20 vs Enisey
PARMA: March 18 @ Lokomotiv-Kuban
