CSKA Moscow wins 7th consecutive VTB League

CSKA Moscow continued its dominance of the VTB League with a huge 72-95 road win over Khimki Moscow Region in Game 3 of the series. The victory handed the Army Men a sweep of the series and once again the club wins the VTB League trophy.

It is no surprise CSKA is champ, the team is among the best on the continent and eased through the Regular Season with a 22-2 record. In the Play-Offs, the Moscow giant has looked untouchable and showed again why in the final. Khimki was simply swept aside as CSKA defended its title.

CSKA Moscow has now won the last seven VTB League titles and nine of ten since the competition started. In the finals series, the club has dropped just two games in seven years. In Game 3 of this season’s run, CSKA showed its strength with a commanding road success.

Knowing one win would wrap the season, CSKA exploded from the opening tip off and drained 34 points in the first quarter. At the first split, the champs lead 12-34 and held a lead that would stick throughout the game. In the second period, Khimki improved and both teams hit 22 apiece to make it 34-56 through the long break.

CSKA all but killed the contest in the third act, using a solid 18-23 run to make it 52-79 through thirty minutes. Khimki was playing just for pride in the fourth quarter and managed to take the period as CSKA was already in party mode. The hosts had been undone by a lack of scoring from the starting five, who contributed just 32 points.

Khimki’s bench outscored the starters, while CSKA’s opening five poured in 53 points to pace the win. The visitors also punished Khimki by draining 22 points from turnovers.

Nando De Colo scored 20 points to lead the Army Men, while Cory Higgins added 18 points, and Aaron Jackson claimed 14.

Alexey Shved paced Khimki with 17 points, followed by Earl Rowland and Dmitry Sokolov with 13 points each.