By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Tornike Shengelia returning to action earlier than expected was combined with the first VTB United League loss for CSKA Moscow. Kalev/Cramo was in control for most of the game banking in the big win, 67-56, on Monday evening.
Shengelia, 30, in his first game since October 12, had seven points, five rebounds, four assists, two blocks, and one steal. He was initially projected to miss at least two months due to the right shoulder injury. Nikola Milutinov (knee) and Marius Grigonis (back) remained sidelined along with resting Johannes Voigtmann.
Gabriel Lundberg posted a team-high 13 points in the losing effort sending his side to 4-1 in the VTB. The Estonian side jumped to 2-3 with its second-ever VTB win against the Russian powerhouse. The team coached by Dimitris Itoudis was limited to 33% from the field at Tallinn.
Former Wichita State standout Rauno Nurger fired in a game-high 15 points and grabbed nine rebounds for the hosts. JeQuan Lewis added 12 points in the triumph.
CSKA was coming off a couple of Turkish Airlines EuroLeague losses at AS Monaco and LDLC ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne last week. Down to 4-3 in Europe’s premier club continental competition, Fenerbahce Beko will be in Moscow for Regular Season Round 8 on Thursday.
Earlier, Mario Hezonja scored seven points in the 9-1 finishing run lifting UNICS to the win, 73-66, versus Parma. His game-high 27 points powered by 12/21 field goals highlighted the game held at Perm. John Brown threw in 19 points, seven rebounds, and three steals.
The team led by Velimir Perasovic went up to 4-1 in the VTB following a perfect EuroLeague double-game week featuring wins over Bitci Baskonia and Real Madrid to up the W-L tally to 3-4. Back on the European club competition front visiting LDLC ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne on Thursday.
Elsewhere, Zenit dominated Enisey, 79-56, and jumped to 3-1 catching Avtodor Saratov in third place. Jordan Mickey led all scorers with 20 points at Krasnoyarsk, Siberia. For the hosts, Darral Willis put up a team-high 18 points.
The team based in Saint Petersburg now turns focus to Friday’s EuroLeague fixture opposite Anadolu Efes at Istanbul. Xavi Pascual’s side currently carries a 4-3 record.
Monday results:
Enisey Krasnoyarsk – Zenit Saint Petersburg 56-79
Parma Perm – UNICS Kazan 66-73
Kalev/Cramo Tallinn – CSKA Moscow 67-56
Photo Credit: CSKA Twitter