Zenit Russia defeated VEF Latvia at home, 84-83 (19-16, 22-26, 22-29, 21-12).
Top Scorers
Zenit: Demonte Harper (16 + 6 reb, Kyle Kuric (16 + 5 reb), Sergey Karasev (16), Drew Gordon (15 + 10), Scottie Reynolds (6 + 11 ast)
VEF: Rolands Freimanis (19 + 10 reb), Alex Perez (18 + 7 reb + 8 ast), Ilya Gromovs (11), Kristaps Janicenoks (11)
Story
Despite an 0-2 record, including a disappointing setback against Nizhny Novgorod last Sunday, VEF nearly upset Zenit in St. Petersburg. The visitors led by four entering the final minutes, but two huge baskets from Demonte Harper and Evgeny Valiev’s game-winning block on the final possession helped Zenit pull of the comeback and improve to 3-1 on the season.
The home team led the entire 1st quarter, connecting on five 3-pointers to go up by three. VEF responded with 10 points from Rolands Freimanis in the 2nd, edging in front by a point, 42-41, at the break.
After Sergey Karasev knotted the score at 55-55 midway through the 3rd, VEF began to create some separation. The visitors led by as much as 10 in the period, shredding Zenit’s defense for 29 points. Entering the 4th, Riga was on top, 71-63.
Turning Point I
Trailing 73-65 after a 3-pointer from Freimanis, Zenit turned to big man Evgeny Valiev. The Russian forward scored six unanswered, pulling his team within a point, 75-74, with 6:23 to play.
Turning Point II
The outcome of the game turned on two plays. With 1:11 to play, his team trailing by two with the shot clock winding down, Zenit guard Demonte Harper banked in a tough 3-pointer to take an 84-83 lead.
After both teams missed opportunities to score, the visitors had one final chance to win or send the game to overtime. Freimanis drove into the lane and tried to hit the jumper, but Valiev was there for the block, preserving a hard-fought victory for the Russian club.
Highlights
Stat
11 – Scottie Reynolds was quietly effective, dishing out 11 assists for Zenit, a new season best in the League.
Quotes
Zenit head coach Vasily KARASEV:
– Like I’ve said in the past, the most important thing for us now is winning. We were without Simonovic today as well. We are playing a strange brand of basketball: We went small with Valiev at center today, which makes it tough for us on offense and defense.
VEF head coach Janis GAILITIS:
– All I can say right now is that the guys didn’t deserve to win. But that’s basketball. We ran out of speed in the final minutes. We’re also lacking some creativity at the 2 and 3. We lost a couple possessions because no one could step up and take the initiative.
Up Next
Zenit: November 5 away vs. Kalev
VEF: October 30 away vs. CSKA
Snapshot
