A Tough Game Against the League Leader

The Start

Our team managed to make the first move in this game with an opening run. As usual, Daniel Utomi moved the scoreboard with his signature three-pointers, while Galin Smith worked hard on defense, registering several blocks against Aleksa Avramovic. However, challenges soon followed. The first issue for «Astana» was the hosts' tight defence, which forced a few turnovers and allowed CSKA to respond with a 7-0 run. By the end of the first quarter, we managed to regain some momentum and cut the deficit to 12 points, thanks to efforts from Ruslan Aitkali and Andrey Desyatnikov.

How to Contain Ware?

The next challenge for «Astana» was Casper Ware, who found his rhythm in the second quarter. Leaving this player open is always a risk, and today he made everyone pay by sinking 8 of 10 three-point attempts.  His performance propelled CSKA to a commanding lead. Alexander Orazbekov had some good moments, using his speed and defensive skills to make an impact. With two minutes left in the second quarter, he stole the ball from Vladimir Karpenko and calmly knocked down his free throws. Andrey Desyatnikov also stood out with an efficiency rating of 15. Unfortunately, the team didn’t have enough to keep the fight going.

Playing Without Giving Up

In a game where the disparity in strength was evident from the start, hoping for miraculous comebacks was unlikely. Despite the challenges, the players gave it everything, and there were flashes of solid play. Utomi impressed with his floaters, the pairing of Orazbekov and Maidyakin showed promise, and Desyatnikov made an impact with his blocks. The absence of the injured Danila Pokhodaev was a big blow, as he could have added some much-needed points to «Astana’s» total.

The game ended with a decisive victory for CSKA, 110:50. The team now returns home to prepare for the match against «Samara,» scheduled for November 28.

Final Score:

CSKA — «Astana» 110:50 (26:14, 32:11, 20:13, 32:12)


Top Performers:
Daniel Utomi: 17 points, 4 rebounds
Ruslan Aitkali: 11 points, 2 rebounds
Alexander Orazbekov: 8 points
Andrey Desyatnikov: 8 points, 5 rebounds
Comments

Gleb Plotnikov, Acting Head Coach of «Astana»:

“A demoralising defeat. I apologise to our fans for such a performance. Our roster is far from optimal, and CSKA outmatched us in every aspect of today’s game.”