Βy Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
In an intensive and competitive game, Unics Kazan beat Laboral Kutxa 90-86 in overtime (75-75) and claimed the third place in the Gomelsky Cup that takes place in Moscow.
For the Russians, Keith Langford was the top scorer with 19 points, while three more players were in double figures. On the other hand, for the losing squad, Darius Adams was unstoppable with 30 points.
Laboral Kutxa made an explosive start to the game and was in front by 10 points at the end of the first half (13-23). However, Unics Kazan fought back. The Russians outscored their opponents 22-15 in the second period and cut the deficit to just three points after the first 20 minutes of the game (35-38).
In the second half, Unics made a 12-5 run and was in front by four points (47-43), but the Spaniards stayed close and took a five-point lead at the end of the third quarter (53-58). Seven minutes before the end, Laboral Kutxa took a double-digit lead (55-66). However, the Russians enhanced their performance and made a come-back (67-70, two minutes before the end) only to tie the game with 11 seconds to go (75-75) and the match went to overtime.
It was a close derby in the extra time, as both teams couldn’t take a significant advantage (85-85), however Unics made a 5-1 run in the last minute of the game and claimed the victory.