On February 1, the MINSK men's team played against Astana in the first match of the second stage of the VTB United League championship. Minsk residents had to face a number of force majeure: for health reasons, Rostislav Vergun was forced to miss the game, and assistant Aliaksei Sukhavetski replaced him on the coaching bridge. Also, captain Aliaksei Trastsinetski did not play on the road for health reasons. Unfortunately, in an unpredictable struggle, our players failed to take the long-awaited revenge, the final score of the meeting 86:82 (29:15, 14:26, 24:12, 19:29).
Starting fives:
MINSK: Daniil Kasko, Benjamin-Pavel Dodoo, Darol Hernandez-Zinenko, Zach Smith, Uladzislau Blizniuk.
Astana: Markell Johnson, Kwame Vaughn, Vadim Sherbak, Michael Myers, Valeriy Likhodey.
Game scenario
In the first quarter, Minsk residents felt the pace of the game. And despite the efforts, because of offensive blunders, MINSK allowed the owners of the site to take a leading position. Zach Smith, Darol Hernandez-Zinenko, Kiryl Sitnik, Jovan Sljivancanin, and newcomer DaQuan Bracey scored in our lineup with hits in the quarters. On the first break, the opponents left with a score of 29:15.
In the second quarter, having adjusted to the Astana ring, MINSK began to act confidently in attacks. Thanks to this, we were able not only to demonstrate a higher percentage of shots than the opponent, but also to almost even the score by the end of the quarter (43:41). DaQuan Bracey and Darol Hernandez Zinenko scored bright hits from behind the arc. And Serbian forward Ognjen Pantovic, who made his debut in today's meeting, pleased the audience with a spectacular dunk.
In the third quarter, Oleg Kiselev's team was able to impose their game again and regain a double-digit advantage on the scoreboard. Despite the hits from the middle distance from Darol Hernandez Zinenko, DaQuan Bracey and Ognjen Pantovic, as well as Darol's “three-point” shot, the quarter ended with a score of 67:53.
Interchange
The final quarter began with successful attempts by Ognjen Pantovic and Jovan Sljivancanin to reduce the gap in the score from an average distance (67:57). DaQuan Bracey single-handedly managed to make a 4:0 scoring run, which forced Oleg Kiselev to take a timeout. However, the difference in the score left the advantage to the owners of the site. Jovan Sljivancanin tried to correct the situation with an accurate “three-point". Thanks to three hits, including two bright “three point” shot by Jovan, MINSK reduced the difference in the score to 6 points a minute before the end of the meeting. And thanks to 2 points from Zach Smith, the difference in the score was reduced to only 4 points in the final minute. A real thriller unfolded in the last seconds of the meeting, when, with a difference of only two points, the opponents continued to fight with decisive shots from the penalty line. Unfortunately, luck turned out to be on the side today “Astana”. The match ended with a score of 86:82.
The most productive:
MINSK: Jovan Sljivancanin - 21 + 8 REB + 1 STL, DaQuan Bracey – 17 + 2 REB + 6 AST + 3 STL + 1 block, Zach Smith – 14 + 6 REB + 1 STL + 2 block.
Astana: Kwame Vaughn – 22 + 2 REB + 1 AST + 2 STL + 1 block, Valeriy Likhodey – 18 + 6 REB + 3 AST+ 1 block, Markell Johnson – 14 + 7 REB + 5 AST + 2 STL + 1 block.
Assistant coach of MINSK Aliaksei Sukhavetski: “The game turned out to be uneven: then up, then down. Each of the teams won with a big score in different quarters. Probably, this is due to the lack of concentration. When one team scores great, the second one sags a little at this time. And in the next quarter, the situation is reversed. Unfortunately, we didn't have enough time in these “catch-ups”. “Astana” attacked well from a distance today, they were aggressive on the shields. But due to the fact that they made more losses, we held on and we had a chance to win.”
Already this Saturday, February 4, MINSK will host the first home match of the second stage against Enisey at the Falcon Club Arena. The meeting starts at 16:00. Tickets can be purchased on the KVITKI.by website and at points of sale, as well as at the box office of the arena from 14:30 on the day of the game. We are waiting for you in the stands!
Photo: VTB United League