One step away from the semi-finals!

Main team news

25.04.2024

UNICS continues to pick up the speed and doubles the score in the quarterfinals, beating Samara for the second time in a row on the court of the Basket Hall (77:64). The key factor in the victory of Velimir PERASOVIC's team was aggressive defense, which tightly blocked the perimeter for the guests, allowing them to realize only 1 three-point shot out of 15.

Drazen ANZULOVIC's wards managed to get ahead only at the start of the first quarter – 6:4. Then UNICS tightly seized the initiative, consistently increasing the advantage, which in the opening of the 4th quarter reached the maximum «+22» after two consecutive shots from behind the arc from Andrey VORONTSEVICH – 68:46.

The most productive member of the winners was Louis LABEYRIE, who scored 14 points and added 6 rebounds and 3 assists. Neno DIMITRIJEVIC scored 11 points, 8 assists and 4 rebounds. Andrey VORONTSEVICH has 11 more points. Jalen REYNOLDS brought the team 10 points and 5 rebounds.

The match was marked by the return of February MVP Dmitry KULAGIN, who had been absent for a long time due to injury.

UNICS (Kazan) – Samara (Samara region) – 77:64 (17:17, 26:16, 17:10, 17:21).
UNICS: Labeyrie (14 + 6 rebounds + 3 assists), Dimitrijevic (11 + 8 assists + 4 rebounds), Vorontsevich (11), Reynolds (10 + 5 rebounds + 2 steals).
Samara: Roberson (14 + 4 assists + 2 rebounds), Dalton (12 + 3 rebounds), Thomson (11 + 9 rebounds), M.Kulagin (10 + 3 rebounds).

POST-MATCH COMMENTS:

Velimir PERASOVIC, BC UNICS head coach:

«Today we defended very solidly and tried to catch our rhythm. We had unstable moments, sometimes we lost the balance in defense. UNICS again allowed the opponents to collect 12 rebounds under our board, but still dominated throughout the game. I am glad that we were able to double the score in the quarterfinal series. It will be even more difficult in Samara, but we are going there for a victory».

Drazen ANZULOVIC, BC Samara head coach:

«Congratulations to UNICS on the victory. Despite the defeat, I will note our efforts and fight. However, with the low implementation of three-point shots that we have shown, it is extremely difficult to compete with such a high-quality team as UNICS.

The reason why we managed to make only one accurate three–point shot out of 15 attempts is the excellent defense of Kazan. In the first half of the VTB United League championship, we were the best in this component, but due to injuries, the situation has changed. No matter what, I believe in my team. I see that the guys are fighting to the very end. I hope we will be able to attack better from behind the arc in the next match».