Nizhny Novgorod downs Unics Kazan, to lead VTB

Round 5 of VTB United League action was capped off by a marquee match-up between two of the league’s top teams. Russian clubs BC Nizhny Novgorod and Unics Kazan did battle to settle which team would take pole position. After an exciting game, visiting Nizhny Novgorod held back their hosts in the fourth period to prevail, 78-89. Nizhny climbs to the top spot in the league standings with a perfect 6-0 record. Both teams were previously undefeated, and Unics now slides to fourth place with their 4-1 slate.

The game started off with each team playing steady and solid half-court sets. Baskets were exchanged, but neither team mounted a significant rally to create a sizeable gap on the scoreboard, with the visitors eking out a 20-21 advantage after the first 12 minutes of play.  Unics began the second quarter ready for action and they began a torrential assault from beyond the arc, nailing three straight shots from downtown. Nizhny was unfazed and they reacted quite well by stepping up their defensive pressure and were able to prevent the home club from scoring for over four minutes. At the end of the first half, Nizhny found themselves ahead by eight points, 37-45.

When the teams came out of their locker rooms to begin the second half, both Taylor Rochestie and Tarence Kinsey led the Novgorod club on key possessions. Unics Kazan initially tried to mount a rally via their three-point shooting, but their guests clamped down harder on defensive intensity which allowed them to increase their lead to 15 points with just the final quarter remaining in the balance. Unics Kazan did their best to come back in the fourth, but Nizhny’s defense remained consistent and they held on for the win.

Taylor Rochestie was the key player for the visitors. He knocked down three of six shots from deep en route to his game-high 22 points. Trey Thompkins was also impressive with a double-double, scoring 20 points of his own and grabbing 11 boards. Thompkins also converted a couple of difficult shots in the fourth quarter to help stave off Kazan’s attack.

A trio of Unics Kazan players scored 15 points for the team. They were Keith Langford, Kostas Kaimakoglou, and Curtis Jerrells.