Zielona Gora beat Enisey at home – 117:79 (32:17, 28:19, 27:28, 30:15).
Top scorers
Zielona Gora: Rolands Freimanis (25 + 5 rebounds), Kris Richard (17 + 5 assists), Janis Berzins (17 + 10 rebounds), Skyler Bowlin (17 + 8 assists), David Brembly (13 + 6 rebounds), Geoffrey Groselle (12 + 6 rebounds + 7 assists).
Enisey: Mikhail Kulagin (24), Tyus Battle (16 + 6 assists), Dustin Hogue (11 + 7 rebounds).
Story
This game is 2000th in the VTB League history. Both teams were aiming to fight: the Poles wanted to settle in the play-off zone, and Krasnoyarsk still hope to get back to the play-off race.
Game opening minutes were Geoffrey Groselle’s time. The center easily was beating his opponents, hit all of his 3 field goals and gave Zielona Gora an early lead – 10:2. The Siberians tried to pull themselves together via substitutions, Dustin Hogue was useful of the bench. Anyway, the Poles were still controlling the game. They were punishing their rivals, were good at early offense. Rolands Freimanis was on fire, 10 points on 4/4 shooting. Enisey head coach Drazen Anzulovich used both time-outs in the first quarter but it didn’t help. Zielona Gora finished starting quarter with 15-point lead – 32:17.
Kris Richard closes 1st Q with the buzzer 🚨 pic.twitter.com/292BP7NNDJ
— VTB League (@VTBUL) March 11, 2021
Since the second quarter the Siberians tried to cut the gap but their comeback hopes were killed by Freimanis. The forward were still perfect from the field and by the half time had 19 points. Other Zielona Gora players were supporting him. Janis Berzins, David Brembly and experienced Lukasz Koszarek gave the hosts comfortable 24-point lead by the second half – 60:36.
The third quarter started with David Brembly and Kris Richard’s successful attempts. This moment totally killed the intrigue – 66:36. To Siberians credit they didn’t give up. Mikhail Kulagin and Tyus Battle finally gave the momentum to Enisey’s offense. Krasnoyarsk even won the third. But it was local success. Devastating gap let the hosts control the game. In the final quarter the Poles took over the game again and made it to the confident victory.
Hero
Rolands Freimanis became Zielona Gora’s first offensive option. The Latvian scored 25 points on 10/13 shooting and became the most efficient player of the game (35).
Stat
117 – Zielona Gora set season-high in scoring. Moreover, the Poles set franchise-high in scoring.
Comments
Zielona Gora head coach Zan Tabak:
– We took our rival seriously. We gave our best effort. I like how we respected our opponent. This is the first time after changing our roster that we actually played defensive basketball – from the tactical point of view it’s something special.
Enisey head coach Drazen Anzulovich:
– Congratulations for Zastal. They present more than basketball – I would want to see in my team. Character, energy, and quality – we are not on that level. They present how team should work in defense and offence. They were two times quicker, two times stronger.
Next
Zielona Gora: March 16 vs Kalev
Enisey: March 20 @ Zenit
