Zenit defeated Pari Nizhny Novgorod on the road – 84:64 (22:13, 25:11, 14:19, 23:21).
Game progress
Zenit started the game with overwhelming dominance in rebounding with 9 offensive rebounds by the end of the first quarter. The guests added 5 steals, but were unable to immediately get additional opportunities into second-chance points due to an extremely low shooting percentage early on. However, the St. Petersburg team was able to recover with efficiency during the first half and got a 23-point lead by halftime.
The game’s top scorer Alex Poythress sat on the bench at the start of the third quarter, had a double-double, and Pari NN managed to win that segment, with Zenit scoring only 14 points but maintaining a decent lead (+18) going into the final quarter.
Pari NN was able to compete in the last quarter, but the guests did not let the opponent get closer and confidently took the win.
X-factor
Alex Poythress was Zenit’s main weapon in the first half, which determined the winner. The center recorded his second double-double (23 points and 10 rebounds), had his best scoring game of the season. He also repeated his best scoring performance in the VTB League.
Facts
Zenit set career-high 30 offensive rebounds.
Rivalry history score: 23-8, Zenit leads. The last time Nizhny Novgorod won a game in this rival in January 2024.
Leaders
Pari Nizhny Novgorod: Kirill Popov (13 + 8 rebounds), Alexander Khomenko (13), Ilya Karpenkov (12 + 6 rebounds)
Zenit: Alex Poythress (23 + 10 rebounds), Levi Randolph (22)
What’s next
Pari Nizhny Novgorod: October 28 at home versus Enisey
Zenit: October 29 at home against BETCITY PARMA.
