Zenit defeated Igokea in WINLINE Basket Cup group stage game on the road – 83:80.
Game progress
The game in Bosnia and Herzegovina marked the resumption of the WINLINE Basket Cup after a break for national teams window. Tyree Breein led Igokea to get an advantage in the first quarter, but Zenit with Luka Samanic picked up the pace noticeably at the start of the second quarter. However, the Bosnian leaders allowed to regain the lead. The hosts had slight lead by halftime – 43:41.
The game was close till the end, the lead changed a lot. Neither can get initiative.
Key moment
Towards the end of the game, every shot counted. In the final seconds, with the score tied, Trent Frazier took the initiative. The guard shook off his opponent, freed up space for himself and made step-back three-pointer with 3 seconds left – 83:80. Igokea didn’t have enough time to respond.
X-factor
Noah Vonleh made his debut for Zenit – and made a difference. The former NBA player earned the coaching staff’s trust and, even with his mistakes, became one of the most notable players on the visiting team. With 14 points, the forward was the team’s second-leading scorer.
Facts
Igokea and Zenit played each other in an official game for the first time.
The third WINLINE Basket Cup game in history outside Russia ended in regulation – the winners of the two previous games in Belgrade and Laktasi were determined in overtime.
Leaders
Igokea: Tyree Breein (24), Borisa Simanic (11)
Zenit: Luka Samanic (15), Noah Vonleh (14), Georgy Zhbanov (12)
Next game
UNICS (Russia) vs. Uralmash (Russia) on December 13.