Khimki keeps pressure on CSKA

Khimki Moscow Region collected its fourth consecutive victory with a slick road win over Kalev/Cramo Tallin in Estonia on Wednesday night. Last season’s VTB United League runner-up Khimki is hunting down leader CSKA Moscow once again and now sits in third place with a 10-3 record, while CSKA sits top with a 12-1 showing.

The first quarter was as good as it got for Tallin as the hosts managed to hold the lead several times through the frame. However, Khimki still looked in control and through ten minutes had opened an 18-24 advantage. The visitors continued to ascend in the second stanza and a 20-22 winning frame was enough to give Khimki a 38-46 lead through the long break. In the third act the guests really started to get into top gear and 30 points during the period extended the scoreboard to 55-76. In the fourth quarter Khimki strolled down the straight to a convincing victory.

The visitors had led by as much as 23 points and aside from sparring in the first quarter never looked like losing this game. Alexey Shved topped the winners with 19 points, followed by Dmitry Sokolov with 13 points and Tyrese Rice and James Augustine with 12 points apiece.

Rain Veideman led the losing effort with 19 points, while Rolands Freimanis added 17 points and Josh Boone notched a double-double of 11 points and 13 rebounds.