UNICS take care of business against Baskonia behind a dominant second quarter / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Ivan Petuchov/Enisey Credit Ivan Petuchov/Enisey

UNICS Kazan (2-4) started the double week of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague on a high note.

Player of the Game EFF 21 Andrey Vorontsevich Points 14 Accuracy 5-9 Rebounds 7 Assists 3

The Russian powerhouse got a convincing victory over Bitci Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (3-3) 83-69 (24-17, 24-6, 18-21, 17-25) in front of their own fans and recovered after two EuroLeague defeats in a row.

Baskonia had a sluggish game start. UNICS took advantage of the situation and gained an early 11-point lead (17-6) thanks to Jarrell Brantley and Browns' duo. After 10 minutes of playing time, the scoreboard was showing 24-17.

Nevertheless, the Russian club started total domination in the second quarter. They arranged an outstanding 18-0 (42-17) run. Andrey Vorontsevich, Isaiah Canaan, and Dmitrii Uzinskii were raining threes. Velimir Perasovic's squad maintained a 25-point advantage going to the locker room (48-23).

Baskonia had a terrible offensive performance in the first half. The Basques made 3 two-pointers out of 22 (13.6%) and turned the ball over 9 times.

Moreover, Baskonia did not score a single point for 7 minutes in the second period. Wade Baldwin had all 6 of his team's points in that quarter.

No surprise that the remaining time did not bring any intrigue.

For the winners, Andrey Vorontsevich remembered his best times. The 34-year-old veteran accumulated 14 points (1/3 2PT, 4/6 3PT, 0/2 FT), 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 2 drawn fouls, and 21 PIR.

“We prepared very hard for this game and we know the Baskonia team are very strong, young, and talented. They run and run and it’s not easy to play against them, but today we were stronger,” said Vorontsevich post-game.

2-pointers this season

50%18,7Points made:18,7Accuracy:50,5%Place in standings:10Record max:27Record min:13Most made 2FGs:Wade BaldwinTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

“Especially in the first half we played very well and made a lot of shots which is very important. In the previous games, we had problems with scoring. Today, in the first two quarters, we scored 50 points which is not normal for us,” told Velimir Perasovic after a comfortable win.

Wade Baldwin was a top scorer for the losing side, posting 23 points (8/16 2PT, 1/2 2PT, 4/4 FT), 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 4 turnovers, 8 drawn fouls, and 23 PIR.

Tadas Sedekerskis added a double-double with 11 points (4/5 2PT, 1/5 3PT, 0/2 FT), 12 rebounds, and 20 PIR.

“The first 20 minutes were to forget. In the second half we fought, but this is not how this team must play. Our team has character, but tonight we did not bring it,” spoke Dusko Ivanovic.

Baskonia's Rokas Giedraitis missed a game due to an ankle injury.

UNICS: Andrey Vorontsevich 14 (7 REB), John Brown 14 (6 REB, 5 STL, 20 PIR), Jarrell Brantley 11, Isaiah Canaan 9 (3 REB, 3 AST), Mario Hezonja 8 (5 REB).

Baskonia: Wade Baldwin 23 (5 REB), Matthew Costello 18 (9 REB, 24 PIR), Tadas Sedekerskis 11 (12 REB), Jayson Granger 8 (3 REB).

Highlights

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