The third quarter proved key in the match against «Nizhny»

Strong fight in the first quarter

The home team quickly set the game’s tempo, particularly through starting lineup players Nemanja Djurisic, Zak Nuttall, and Alexander Khomenko, whose offensive play allowed «Nizhny» to jump into the lead.  However, by the fifth minute, «Astana» managed to regroup. Daniel Utomi’s shots started finding the mark, passes to Galin Smith under the basket connected smoothly, and Ruslan Aitkali hit a three-pointer. Magzhan Sarsengaliyev, playing his second game in the VTB United League, also helped «Astana» edge ahead. Unfortunately, Nizhny’s tight defense forced «Astana» into a few turnovers late in the quarter, ending the period with a score of 23:19 in favor of the home team.

A confident second quarter

 »Astana» showed confidence on offense (62% shooting from mid-range, 38% from beyond the arc), keeping Nizhny on their toes. The game was thrilling, with Gleb Plotnikov’s team ready with tailored plays to counter each Nizhny attack. Alexander Orazbekov shone with his passing, notably setting up an alley-oop for Galin Smith. Introducing the team’s sharpshooters, Danila Pokhodaev and Rustam Murzagaliev, proved a smart move, as their three-pointers cut the deficit to just one point (33:32). However, rebounding remained a challenge (Nizhny led 18 to Astana’s 13), and by the end of the quarter, the home team still held a slight advantage, 43:37.

The pivotal moment

In the third quarter, «Pari Nizhny Novgorod» extended their lead to 10 points, holding «Astana» at bay. Swift drives to the basket by Daniel Utomi, Galin Smith, and Magzhan Sarsengaliyev offered some respite, but containing Karpenkov in the paint and reducing turnovers caused by double-teams proved to be a tough challenge. The score before the final quarter was 68:51.

Maidyakin’s free throws

Maidyakin’s free throws were a memorable moment of the final quarter. The home team was determined to prevent a comeback and applied full-court pressure, often double-teaming and fouling, particularly targeting center Askar Maidyakin, hoping he’d miss his shots. However, the strategy didn’t work as planned; Maidyakin hit 9 out of 14 free throws (64%), helping «Astana» cut into the lead midway through the quarter. Despite playing the final ten minutes evenly, «Astana» couldn’t overcome the gap, ultimately losing to «Nizhny» 87:69.

Game summary

Pari Nizhny Novgorod — Astana 87:69 (23:19, 20:18, 25:14, 19:18)
«Astana»: Daniel Utomi (15 points, 6 assists), Galin Smith (12 points), Askar Maidyakin (11 points), Magzhan Sarsengaliyev (10 points, 2 assists)
«Pari Nizhny Novgorod»: Zak Nuttall (15 points), Alexander Khomenko (14 points, 6 steals), Sergei Zotkin (13 points, 7 assists)

Comments

Gleb Plotnikov, Acting Head Coach of «Astana»:
«Just like in our previous game against 'Lokomotiv,' we faced heavy pressure that we couldn’t handle. With 22 turnovers, winning is nearly impossible. We have roster issues, missing our primary point guard Grigory Motovilov, whom we really need. Congratulations to 'Nizhny Novgorod' on their win—they played with intensity and showcased their signature style today.»

Sergei Kozin, Head Coach of «Pari Nizhny Novgorod»:
«As expected, it was a tough game for us. We analyzed 'Astana’s' recent games; they played well against 'Loko' and previously in Yekaterinburg. I was preparing the team for a tough competition. 'Astana' fought for every ball, every possession. With that attitude, they’ll see victories in the future—fortunately for us, not today.»