Zenit defeated Lokomotiv Kuban in the 3rd Place Series Game 2 at home – 99:96 (22:28, 26:20, 26:24, 25:24).
Game progress
The opening quarter showed that the game promises to be tight. Karvel Anderson long-range shots gave the guests the lead. Zenit responded with strong play by Vince Hunter, who scored 9 straight points. By the end of the opening quarter, Loko had a 6-point lead, but Zenit managed to get within one shot, and just before halftime, Karasev and Toropov long-range shots helped Zenit take the lead for the first time since the start of the game. Zenit could have taken the lead at halftime, but Kirill Elatontsev set the final score of the first half – 48:48.
The third quarter was Thomas Heurtel benifit. Zenit guard scored 10 points in a row, helping the hosts maintain the lead. By the final quarter, Zenit was ahead, but the difference was minimal – 74:72.
Key moment
In the final quarter, the game slowed down. Early in the quarter, Zenit managed to build a 6-point lead, but Dmitrii Uzinskii stopped the hosts with three-pointer. With a minute to go, Zenit still led by 2. Elatontsev made a spectacular block, but Zenit still had possession – Hunter took advantage and scored.
Loko couldn’t change the game. Elatontsev answered Sergey Toropov 2 points (99:95) with only 1 free throw, and Anderson last desperate attempt to go to overtime was blocked by Hunter. With Zenit 2-0 lead, the Series moves to Krasnodar.
X-factor
Zenit showed the Playoffs-high long-range shooting percentage: the team was able to make 14 of 25 (56.5%). Frazier and Heurtel (4 of 8 both) were the main shooters for the hosts, Sergey Karasev (3 of 4) and Sergey Toropov (2 of 2) weren’t far behind.
Fact
Zenit and Loko have played 34 games against each other in various tournaments, and before this game Loko had a minimal advantage – 17-16. But in the United League, the St. Petersburg team has already pulled away for 2 wins – 16-14.
Zenit’s winning streak in games against the Krasnodar team is already 4 games in a row – the last time Loko won last December.
Leaders
Zenit: Thomas Heurtel (23 + 7 assists), Trent Frazier (20 + 6 assists), Vince Hunter (18 + 5 rebounds), Sergey Karasev (16), Sergey Toropov (10).
Lokomotiv Kuban: Patrick Miller (22 + 7 assists), Dmitrii Uzinskii (15 + 6 rebounds), Jaylen Barford (15 + 4 steals), Andrey Martiuk (12), Kirill Elatontsev (12 + 5 rebounds), DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell (8 + 6 rebounds + 3 steals).
What’s next
May 30 in Krasnodar.
