UNICS defeated Zenit in WINLINE Basket Cup group stage game on the road – 91:72 (32:23, 15:21, 23:12, 21:16).
Game progress
UNICS made its debut in the WINLINE Basket Cup with clash against Zenit in St. Petersburg. The hosts had unstable start of the season and lost to UNICS at home in the VTB League. The situation was better for the Kazan team. In the first half, Zenit played very aggressively, significantly outscoring the guests on free throws (25-10). UNICS was able to get ahead by halftime – 47:44.
After the break, the depth and balance of the Kazan team made the difference. The guests began to play more carefully, avoiding frequent fouls. UNICS started with 3 missed three-pointers, but then was able to get going. Jalen Reynolds played the entire second half with 4 fouls. After 3 quarters, the Kazan team led 70:56. At the very beginning of the fourth quarter, Marcus Bingham and C.J. Bryce sealed the deal with three-pointers – UNICS starts the WINLINE Basket Cup with win!
X-factor
Zenit’s experimental lineup had problems organizing its offensive actions, shooting 35.1% from the field and committing 20 turnovers (49.2% and 15 for UNICS).
Facts
The Kazan team takes the win in its debut tournament game.
This is UNICS’ second big win in St. Petersburg in a month (previously 104:77 in the VTB League regular season).
Andrei Martiuk had a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds.
Leaders
Zenit: Trent Frazier (22), Andrei Martiuk (20 + 10 подборов), Andrey Vorontsevich (10 + 8 подборов)
UNICS: Jalen Reynolds (22), C.J. Bryce (17), Marcus Bingham (16 + 8 подборов)
Next game
Igokea (Bosnia and Herzegovina) vs Uralmash (Russia), November 11.