Facing the League’s Best

Setting the Pace

From the opening tip, it was clear that Gleb Plotnikov’s team came ready to compete, determined to stay focused against such a team as «Zenit.» The game began with a highlight-worthy putback by Galin Smith, who scored «Astana’s» first points. Smith was a force in the paint, turning tough passes from Vadim Shcherbak into spectacular finishes. Pokhodaev’s free throws even gave «Astana» an early 9-6 lead. Vladislav Isaenko added his contribution to the scoreboard, but «Zenit» caught fire toward the end of the quarter, using sharp three-point shooting to take a 26:15 lead.

Fighting Through the Second Quarter

The second quarter brought challenges for «Astana,» with a scoring drought allowing «Zenit» to go on a run. Magzhan Sarsengaliyev broke the dry spell with free throws after an unsportsmanlike foul, but it was Daniel Utomi who reignited the team. His precise shooting from mid-range and beyond the arc helped narrow the gap, though «Zenit» responded with authority to end the half ahead, 43:27.

Holding Ground in the Third

The third quarter saw «Astana» continue to battle while «Zenit» maintained their control. Galin Smith delivered strong plays under the basket, and Pokhodaev hit from deep to keep the fight alive. However, «Zenit» found their rhythm from beyond the arc, stretching the lead and making a comeback difficult. By the end of the quarter, the score stood at 74:49.
The Final Push

The fourth quarter proved too much for «Astana,» as fatigue and «Zenit’s» relentless pressure widened the gap. Despite struggles with execution early in the quarter, «Astana» closed the game with an all-Kazakh lineup, showcasing the young players and building for the future.

Final Score:

Zenit — Astana 96:59 (26:15, 17:12, 31:22, 22:10)

Top Performers:

Zenit: Denis Zakharov (17 points, 4 rebounds), Omari Spellman (14 points), Trent Frazier (14 points).
Astana: Galin Smith (12 points, 6 rebounds), Danila Pokhodaev (12 points, 6 rebounds), Daniel Utomi (10 points, 6 rebounds).

Postgame Comments

Gleb Plotnikov, Acting Head Coach of «Astana»:

«Congratulations to 'Zenit' on their win. We had some good stretches, but we need to close the gap between our highs and lows. The roster challenges are no secret—I’m working with two point guards from the second team, so expecting top-tier offensive organisation is a tall order. Still, games like this are invaluable experience for our players.»

Danila Pokhodaev, Forward for «Astana»:

«Props to 'Zenit' on their win. It was a great game against one of the league’s best, and we came prepared. There were moments where we played well, but the 11 turnovers in the fourth quarter were costly. That’s something we need to keep working on.»