Zenit waste 17-point lead but Loyd comes in clutch to save the day for Russians / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Alfonso Cannavacciuolo/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images Credit Alfonso Cannavacciuolo/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images

After beating ASVEL on Wednesday, Zenit Saint Petersburg (10-6) finished the perfect week in France, prevailing AS Monaco (6-10) 85-74 (31-14, 14-29, 11-14, 29-17).

Player of the Game EFF 23 Artūras Gudaitis Points 15 Accuracy 5-7 Rebounds 7 Assists 3

After a close third period, where Monaco gained a minimal lead (57-56), both clubs were trading buckets at the start of the decisive quarter. But then, Zenit struck strongly, organizing an 11-0 push.

Baron and Loyd poured in a couple of threes, while Poythress performed a dunk, and Zenit built a substantial 7-point advantage (72-65) with 3:40 to go.

Mike James converted a 2+1 play (68-72) but Alex Poythress answered with a duo on the other end (74-68). Donta Hall made a powerful alley-oop dunk and Monaco cut their deficit to 4 points again (70-74) with 2:10 to play.

Jordan Loyd and Dwyane Bacon exchanged with successful shots from deep (77-73) as Loyd added another bucket (79-73). Donta Hall converted one of two shots from the free-throw line while Jordan Loyd drained a long bomb one more time, this term, with a foul (83-74), completely closing the match.

Jordan Loyd, who was unstoppable in the clutch moments, posted 20 points (1/6 2PT, 5/5 3PT, 3/3 FT), 1 rebound, 3 assists, 1 block, 4 drawn fouls, and 22 PIR for Zenit.

"Best win of the year for me. Our team is depleted, they're hurting, a lot of guys under the weather, but we had the next-man-up mentality and everybody stepped up – coaching staff and players. I'm really excited," said Loyd post-game.

Billy Baron and Arturas Gudaitis aided him with 19 and 15 points respectively.

"I'm extremely happy, tonight my players were real fighters. Despite the fact that everything was difficult – Kulagin and Loyd played with fever, Frankamp couldn't play, Mickey was out, Ponitka with his back… I don't know why so many problems but we played and fought as a team and this is why finally we won," commented Xavi Pascual after the tough win.

Zenit Saint Petersburg / Schedule

LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne Zenit Saint Petersburg61-71 Monaco Basket Zenit Saint Petersburg74-85 Zenit Saint Petersburg Maccabi Tel AvivThu17:00

Dwayne Bacon was the main contributor for Monaco, registering 21 points (5/10 2PT, 3/7 2PT, 2/2 FT), 1 rebound, 1 assist, 2 steals, 2 drawn fouls and 13 PIR.

"The class of two players, Baron and Loyd, decided the game. We have to learn how to play together even more, knowing what to do in certain moments. Sometimes it looked like we didn't have a plan. So we need to work on this," told Sasa Obradovic.

"We also had the excuse of overtime from the previous game which was exhausting for some players, especially Mike James. Paris Lee had some muscle problems so we didn't risk him," he added.

Zenit jumped into the game, arranging an early 19-6 run while Jordan Loyd and Billy Baron were draining long-range shots.

The Russian powerhouse's advantage reached the apex of 17 points (31-14) after Baron's three successful shots from the line. The American guard was outstanding in the first 10 minutes, scoring 12 points with perfect shooting.

Nevertheless, Monaco did not raise the white flag. Dwayne Bacon fired up his team, nailing one shot after another. Roca Team spurted 6-0 (20-31) at the start of the second period and gradually kept decreasing their deficit.

Monaco, led by Bacon (15 PTS) and Andjusic (10 PTS), tied the game at 43, though, Arturas Gudaitis and Billy Baron added one free throw apiece and gave their club a two-point lead, going into the break (45-43).

Zenit: Jordan Loyd 20, Billy Baron 19, Arturas Gudaitis 15 (7 REB), Alex Poythress 9 (5 REB).

Monaco: Dwayne Bacon 21, Danilo Andjusic 15, Mike James 8 (4 REB, 9 AST, 4 TO).

Highlights

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