Zielona Gora beat Tsmoki-Minsk in away game – 80:73 (16:17, 19:12, 25:17, 20:27).
Top scorers
Tsmoki-Minsk: Andrei Stabrouski (20), Robert Lowery (14 + 9 assists), Maksim Salash (9 + 9 rebounds).
Zielona Gora: Tony Meier (21 + 5 rebounds), George King (12 + 11 reboudns), Drew Gordon (10 + 8 reboudns), Ivica Radic (10 + 5 rebounds).
Story
The game remained scoreless for the first two minutes as the teams were very cautious. Only 33 points were scored in the first quarter with the smallest MInsk’s lead – 17:16.
And then the second quarter was led by Zielona Gora. The guests took advantage of Tsmoki’s shooting problems (3 of 17 three-pointers). At the same time, the Polish were not perfect from beyond the arc (27%, 3 of 11), but they used fast breaks and the big guys. The Greens reached 11-point lead in the second quarter (35:24). However, Robert Lowery and Dominez Burnett almost halfed the differential by the halftime break – 29:35.
The third quarter was Tony Meier’s showtime. The forward scored 11 points and took the comfortable lead back – 46:31. Zielona Gora denied the Dragons’ attempts to come back. The Polish controlled the game, slowed the tempo and maintained double-digit lead – 60:46.
Key moment
However, the hosts managed to heat up the last minutes of play. Andrei Stabrouski isnpired the comeback. The guard scored 14 points in the final quarter. One minute before the buzzer, Tsmoki were trailing by only 4 points – 70:74. Nonetheless, the guests had their player on fire. Tony Meier made an open three-pointer with a cool head which practically ended the game – 77:70. After this victory (80:73), Zielona Gora climbs to the 6th place in the standings.
😳 Воу, Джордж Кинг! Вот это блок-шот в исполнении форварда @basket_zg в Минске!
Wow, @2bkings, what a BLOCK 😳 pic.twitter.com/PZdPwGjD7w
— VTB United League (@VTBUL) March 7, 2020
Hero
Tony Meier was the star of the night. His shots built Zielona Gora’s run in the third quarter. He was the one to make key shots in the clutch moment. The American became the top scorer (21 points) and most efficient (22) player of the game.
Stat
73 points allowed by Zielona Gora which matches team’s second best result this season. The defense was a key factor for the winners.
Comment
Tsmoki-Minsk head coach Rostislav Vergun:
“You need to get the ball into the basket to win. With our today’s field goals rate it’s hard to win VTB League games. But we’ll not hang our heads, we’ll work. Of course, it was hard without Alex Gavrilovic, especially when Uladzimir Verameyenka had to go to the bench with 4 fouls. What about Andrei Stabrouski? He has his whole life ahead of him. I’ve known him for over 4 years and I believe in him. This is our future, our Belarusian basketball.”
Zielona Gora head coach Jan Tabak:
“We’ve been leading during almost the whole game. But still, at some point, one possession could turn things around. Despite the leaders’ injuries, it was Tsmoki’s home game and they tried hard. I have mixed emotions about our away games. We have to be competing from the first to the last minute.
Speaking of the opponents’ game, it was no surprise tonight. They doubled and tripled-teamed on our players, but as opposed to the first match, today we maanged to find the right solutions.”
Next
Tsmoki-Minsk: March 15 vs PARMA
Zielona Gora: March 30 at CSKA
Photo
