Zenit defeated Pari Nizhny Novgorod on the road – 75:73 (23:19, 18:23, 10:15, 24:16).
Game progress
Zenit started the game very confidently with 11-2 lead in the first 2 minutes. However, the hosts quickly came to senses and put up a tough fight against one of the League leaders. By the end of the first quarter, the Volga team managed to tie the score 19:19. Nizhny started the second quarter even better with taking the lead. Nemanja Djurisic scored buzzer-beater half-court shot for Pari NN lead by halftime – 42:41.
Pari Nizhny Novgorod was able to finally provoked Zenit to make turnovers and difficult shots. At the start of final quarter, Nizhny Novgorod led by double digits – 61:51.
Key moment
Still, Zenit managed to get back into the game. Alexey Shved made 2 three-pointers (his only points in the game) and then assisted Andrey Vorontsevich twice. However, Trent Frazier was the key player in the end. In the final minute, he personally cut the guests’ deficit to 1 point, and then passed the ball to Georgy Zhbanov. Pari Nizhny Novgorod could still get overtime, but the St. Petersburg team defended against Alex Hamilton drive into the paint. Zenit continued to keep pace with CSKA.
X-factor
Pari NN was almost twice ahead of Zenit in turnovers (17-9). Nizhny made 24-second violation 2 times in the fourth quarter.
Facts
Zenit wins the season series against Nizhny Novgorod – 4-0.
The St. Petersburg team achieves 13th win in a row, which is the best streak for Zenit this season (the team 12 straight in the fall).
Vince Hunter played his 150th game in the United League.
Leaders
Pari Nizhny Novgorod: Ilya Karpenkov (16 + 7 rebounds), Aleksandr Chadov (15), Igor Volkhin (11 + 9 rebounds), Nemanja Djurisic (10 + 8 rebounds), Sergey Zotkin (6 + 5 assists).
Zenit: Trent Frazier (15), Vince Hunter (12), Dwayne Bacon (11), Alex Poythress (11), Alexey Shved (6 + 5 assists).
What’s next
Pari Nizhny Novgorod: March 23 at home versus Samara
Zenit: March 23 at home against Uralmash.
