Hot streak continues: Big men domination leads Zenit past Milan / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Zuma Press - Scanpix Credit Zuma Press - Scanpix

Zenit St. Petersburg (8-3) welcomed AX Armani Exchange Milan (8-3), extending their winning streak to five and handing the visitors their second straight loss at the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague 74-70 (19-19, 16-20, 25-21, 14-10).

Player of the Game EFF 19 Artūras Gudaitis Points 13 Accuracy 5-6 Rebounds 7 Assists 1

Milan had a slight advantage in the fourth quarter (62-66), but Zenit responded with a 9-0 run to give the hosts a five-point lead with less than four minutes to go (71-66).

Zenit defended well in crunch time, and even though Sergio Rodriguez cut Milan's lead to four (70-74), it was too late, as the Russian squad secured a four-point victory.

The visitors started the game well as Nicolo Melli gave Milan an early 12-4 lead. However, Zenit responded with a 13-0 run, and the game was tied at 19 after the first period.

The game continued to be close in the second period, with both squads exchanging blows. However, Sergio Rodriguez finished the half with six straight points to give Milan a four-point advantage going into the break.

Zenit quickly caught up and regained the lead at the start of the third quarter. Seven quick points by Jordan Mickey put the hosts up by seven (52-45). But Rodriguez stepped up again, helping Milan tie the game before the final period (60-60).

The frontcourt was dominant for Zenit tonight. Jordan Mickey finished with 17 points (5/7 2PT, 1/3 3PT, 4/5 FT), 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block, 1 turnover, and 18 PIR.

Arturas Gudaitis added 13 points (5/6 2PT, 3/5 FT), 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 blocks, and 19 PIR.

"It was emotional and special for me because it is my former team and I really wanted to win," Gudaitis said after the game. "We did it as a team, and I am really happy about this. I think the key was our fight. We struggled a little bit against their switching defense, but we managed it and we fought until the end. Today was all about fighting."

Sergio Rodriguez led Milan with 20 points (4/6 2PT, 3/7 3PT, 3/4 FT), 6 assists, 2 steals, 2 turnovers, and 22 PIR.

"It was a real EuroLeague game, two teams fighting until the end," Zenit coach Xavi Pascual said post-game. "We played against an amazing team, an amazing coach, and amazing players, like Chacho Rodriguez, who I always dreamed about coaching but never did. I think we have to be happy for tonight's win, even though we shot very bad at three-pointers, only 24%."

Zenit: Jordan Mickey 17, Arturas Gudaitis 13 (7 REB), Jordan Loyd 13 (7 AST, 6 REB), Billy Baron 9, Sergey Karasev 9.

Milan: Sergio Rodriguez 20 (6 AST), Kyle Hines 12 (8 REB), Shavon Shields 10 (5 REB), Devon Hall 8, Nicolo Melli 8 (6 REB), Giampaolo Ricci 8.

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