On March 12, the VTB United League match between MINSK and Avtodor Saratov took place at the Falcon Club Arena. In the first home match of spring, our team pleased all the fans with a long-awaited victory. Final score of the meeting – 81:65 (22:19, 22:17, 20:11, 17:18).
Starting five:
MINSK: Daniil Kasko, Benjamin-Pavel Dodoo, Jovan Sljivancanin, Vadzim Stubeda, Uladzislau Blizniuk.
Avtodor: Sean Armand, Malik Newman, Brandon Garrett, Rade Zagorac, Danilo Nikolic.
Game scenario
Despite the first points scored by the opponent from Saratov, the teams fought almost on equal terms in the first quarter. The first accurate throw from behind the arc was made by Jovan Sljivancanin. Vadzim Stubeda, Uladzislau Blizniuk and Vlad Mikulski scored hits from the middle distance, and almost three minutes before the end of the first quarter, “three point” shot from Vlad Blizniuk equalized the score on the scoreboard (14:14). A minute and a half before the end of the first quarter, the opponents again equalized the score on the scoreboard thanks to Vlad Mikulski's hits from the free throw line (19:19). And with an incredible “three-point” in the last seconds, Benjamin–Pavel Dodoo helped our team to leave for the first break with an advantage - 22:19.
At the start of the second quarter, Zach Smith took over the leadership of our team, who alone managed to get 5 points. Vlad Blizniuk helped to keep the advantage of Minsk in a difficult fight with the third “three-point” for the game. But Avtodor was not inferior in the desire to win back, so the teams did not let each other go by a large margin. Next, thanks to hits from Vlad Blizniuk and Vadzim Stubeda, our team managed to make a breakthrough of 7 points. Rostislav Vergun's wards managed to retain the advantage and went to the big break with a score of 44:36.
Minsk residents started the third quarter with a double-digit advantage in the score thanks to a 6-point breakthrough from Vlad Mikulski (50:36). And the exact “three-point” from the captain of “MINSK” forced Branislav Vicentic to take a time-out. Demonstrating excellent defense, Minsk residents managed to make twice as many effective attacks as Avtodor, and went to the final break with a score of 64:47.
Interchange
In the fourth quarter, Avtodor became more active in the attack, trying to recoup, but Minsk residents still continued to lead with double-digit advantages thanks to hits by Zach Smith, DaQuan Bracey and Uladzislau Mikulski. With each passing minute, the tension on the court grew at an incredible rate. Our team gave its best, trying to please the fans with the first home victory. To the applause of the stands, MINSK finished the match with a score of 81:65.
The most productive:
MINSK: Uladzislau Blizniuk – 21 + 4 REB + 10 AST + 2 STL, Uladzislau Mikulski – 20 + 4 REB + 5 AST + 1 STL, DaQuan Bracey – 10 + 3 REB+ 4 AST + 1 STL.
Avtodor: Rada Zagorats - 19 + 4 REB + 1 AST + 4 STL + 1 block, Malik Newman – 11 + 5 REB + 1 AST, Evgeny Minchenko – 9 + 5 REB + 1 AST.
MINSK head coach Rostislav Vergun: "The guys played very disciplined today: 13 losses. Most of the game was played very cleverly, bringing the attack to a qualitative and logical conclusion. Of course, when you score 80 points, attack with a good percentage, then there are chances to win. The team absolutely deserved it today. Crazy atmosphere in Minsk. I really hope that the audience liked the game and we found new fans. We are waiting for everyone at basketball, we have 2 home matches left, we are not going to give away victories to anyone and are preparing for the next game. We are waiting for everyone at the basketball."
The next game of our men's team will take place on March 17 at 19:00 at the Falcon Club Arena. The opponent will be PARMA-PARI. We are waiting for all basketball fans!