UNICS defeated Igokea in WINLINE Basket Cup group stage game at home – 92:84 (23:20, 23:20, 23:22, 23:22).
Game progress
For UNICS, the game against Igokea was the first international of the 2025/26 season. The Kazan team outplayed the opponent in the first half, despite losing rebounding (13-17) and a high percentage of three-pointers (60.0%) by the Bosnian team. The hosts performed well in the paint (68.4% of two-pointers made), focusing on Dmitry Kulagin (14 points) and Jalen Reynolds (10 points).
Key moment
The scenario of the first half repeated after halftime. Igokea dominated even more strongly in rebounds (42-29), compensating for numerous turnovers (20 against 11 by UNICS) – despite losing the rebound, the Kazan team defended aggressively.
Even after 2 important long-range shots by Paris Lee, the game was not over. Three-pointers by Ahmad Rory and Marko Jeremic in 22 seconds quickly brought Igokea back into the game – 82:85. However, the guests were unable to catch up with UNICS. Marcus Bingham’s block with 7 seconds left and 5-point lead ended the chase.
X-factor
The return of Paris Lee had a positive effect on UNICS, but also played an important role in the decisive stretch of the game, when the American guard scored 3 long-range shots. Lee finished with 14 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists in 14.5 minutes.
Facts
23:20, 23:20, 23:22, 23:22 – the close scores in each quarter say a lot about the intensity of the battle at Basket Hall.
Igokea lost its chance to advance to the Cup Final Four.
UNICS leads Group B with a 3-1 record and is close to advancing to the decisive stage of the tournament.
The next rivals’ game will be on February 17 in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Leaders
UNICS: Jalen Reynolds (22 + 9 rebounds + 6 assists), Dmitry Kulagin (20), Paris Lee (14), Marcus Bingham (10)
Igokea: Nate Pierre-Louis (14 + 7 rebounds + 7 assists), Ahmaad Rori (12 + 6 assists), Nikola Popovic (11 + 5 rebounds), Sandro Antunovic (11), Stahinja Gavrilovic (10)
Next game
PARMA (Russia) vs CSKA (Russia) on February 5.