By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
One strong first half was all that Lokomotiv Kuban needed in order to easily defeat Tsmoki Minsk 75 – 60 on the road, despite the absence of its nuclear weapon, Malcolm Delaney.
Both teams entered the game a bit nervously but the guests soon turned their engines on and became aggressive enough to score 23 points in 6 minutes gaining an early double digit lead. Generally, it was Loko’s defense that mainly did the trick, since coach Bartzokas’ players allowed only 25 points in the first half, while dropping 41 on Tsmoki. Although he stayed on court for only 15 minutes, Anthony Randolph made the best out of them, scoring 15 points and grabbing 6 rebounds for the winning side.
The Belarusian team returned from the locker rooms eager to perform better, but their opponents proceeded to grab a 22-point lead in the mid of the third period. This was simply too much for the hosts who just reduced the point difference a bit near the end. Ivan Maras finished the game with a double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds for Tsmoki..
In the other game of the day in VTB League, Nymburk destroyed Vita Tbilisi 111-51, completing the match with 40 (!) assists. Five players of the hosts scored in double digits, with Chasson Randle producing 19 points and 6 assists.