CSKA Moscow downs Tsmoki in VTB action
CSKA Moscow picked up its second big VTB United League victory in three days as the Russian powerhouse swept aside Tsmoki-Minsk 93-72 at home on Tuesday. CSKA had taken sole possession of first place in the standings on Sunday with a big road win over Nizhny Novgorod, and heading into this clash it was top vs. bottom as Tsmoki sits last place in the league.
The table doesn’t lie it seems as the Moscow contingent made easy work of their Belarussian guests in another big victory. CSKA Moscow wrapped its Euroleague Regular Season unbeaten (10-0) last week, and the club looks just as formidable in the VTB League with a 12-1 record on the summit.
CSKA built its victory from beyond the arc, sinking 52% from downtown, a stat that allowed the Army Men to compensate for Mink’s superior percentages from 2-point field-goal percentage, free throw percentage and rebounds.
CSKA Moscow vs. Tsmoki-Minsk
A high octane first quarter saw the hosts leap off the tip off into an early lead, but Tsmoki kept pushing to stay in touch through ten minutes, the score reading 25-21. CSKA’s heavy scoring and consistent pressure at the defensive bucket paid off in the second quarter as the Russians used a 27-13 run to take control through halftime, the scoreboard on 52-34. The visitors had been overwhelmed and there was only marginal improvement after the long break as Moscow eased through the third frame (23-15) to make it 75-49 at the last split. That set up a cruising last act for the hosts, one they could even afford to lose and still comfortably win the contest.
Sonny Weems was his usual game winning self as he drained 100% of his triples (six from six) on his way to a game high 23 points. Weems was followed by Aaron Jackson with 13 points and 8 assists, Nando De Colo with 12 points, and Demetris Nichols with 10 points.
Tsmoki-Minsk had little answer for CSKA, but Stanley Burrell paced the losing effort with 18 points, while Ivan Maras added 13 points, Rashaun Freeman 11 points, and Aliaksandr Kudrautsau with 10 points.