Hezonja and UNICS lock down Astana to continue dominating in the VTB League / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Roman Kruchinin/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images Credit Roman Kruchinin/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images

UNICS Kazan (6-1) remain at the top of the VTB United League standings by taking care of BC Astana (2-3) 71-59(26-15, 10-16, 15-12, 20-16).

2-pointers this season

51%19,4Points made:19,4Accuracy:51,5%Place in standings:9Record max:28Record min:11Most made 2FGs:Mario HezonjaTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

UNICS jumped out to a 20-10 lead in the first quarter after Mario Hezonja's free throw, but Astana retaliated, cutting their deficit to five going into the half (31-36).

The hosts continued putting pressure on the visitors from Kazakhstan, regaining a double-digit lead in the third period (46-34).

Astana were down by just eight in the fourth, but then UNICS went on a 12-0 run to gain their largest lead (67-47), and the visitors were unable to recover, losing by x.

Mario Hezonja led UNICS with 18 points (6/9 2PT, 0/4 3PT, 6/8 FT), 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, 1 block, 2 turnovers, and 23 PIR.

UNICS: Mario Hezonja 18 (9 REB), Jarrell Brantley 14 (9 REB), Lorenzo Brown 8,Dmitrii Uzinskii 8,Artem Komolov 6, John Brown 5 (8 REB).

Astana:Jaylen Barford 16,Antonio Campbell 12 (12 REB),Anthony Hickey 12 (6 AST),Rustam Murzagaliyev 6,Mark Tikhonenko 6.

Like what we are doing? Support us by becoming BN+ member.