Spectacular Loyd helps Zenit extend their winning streak by beating ALBA / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Zuma Press - Scanpix Credit Zuma Press - Scanpix

Zenit St. Petersburg (7-3) extend their winning streak to four in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague by taking care of ALBA Berlin (3-7) at home 75-66 (20-14, 22-16, 17-20, 16-16).

Player of the Game EFF 33 Jordan Loyd Points 25 Accuracy 10-17 Rebounds 6 Assists 3

Both teams traded buckets in the fourth quarter, but that wasn't in favor of ALBA, who were down the entire time. Maodo Lo's free throws did cut their deficit to five (64-69), but Jordan Loyd answered on the other end to seal a nine-point Zenit victory.

The game was tied at 12 in the first period, but Jordan Mickey's 3-pointer sparked an 8-0 Zenit run to gain an advantage they never gave up.

The hosts continued playing well in the second quarter, extending the lead to their largest one at 12, going into halftime (42-30).

ALBA cut their deficit to six at the end of the third quarter (50-56), but Loyd answered with a deep bomb on the other end as Zenit held a nine-point advantage going into the final period (59-50).

"We didn't have control of the game for 40 minutes," Zenit coach Xavi Pascual said post-game. "They played very good defense and were always inside of the game, with very good mentality. In the second half, Eriksson helped them a lot. We have one more victory and we can build our mentality for the next one."

Jordan Loyd led them with 21 points (7/11 2PT, 3/6 3PT, 2/3 FT), 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 5 steals, 1 block, 1 turnover, and 33 PIR.

"I think it was more of a team effort, for sure," Loyd said after the game. "We didn't get the rebounds we needed to but as a whole, we played well. We are on the right way but know it is a long year. We have a big game on Friday against Milan."

Marcus Eriksson was the best player for ALBA, finishing with 20 points (3/4 2PT, 3/4 3PT, 5/6 FT), 2 rebounds, and 19 PIR.

Zenit: Jordan Loyd 25 (6 REB, 5 STL), Jordan Mickey 12 (7 REB), Conner Frankamp 10, Arturas Gudaitis 9 (7 REB), Mateusz Ponitka 6 (5 REB).

ALBA: Marcus Eriksson 20, Johannes Thiemann 11 (6 REB), Maodo Lo 10, Ben Lammers 7, Luke Sikma 7 (8 REB).

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