From the very start, both teams played at a high pace, keeping the game evenly contested. T.J. Starks and Danila Pokhodyaev were effective from beyond the arc, while Andrey Desyatnikov secured key rebounds and provided solid defensive support. The first quarter concluded 21:18, with the hosts holding a slight edge.
The second quarter saw offensive struggles for both teams, resulting in a low-scoring start (5-5). However, Parma soon found their rhythm, making the most of their three-point opportunities. By halftime, the gap had widened, with Parma leading 42:29.
The third quarter turned into the highest-scoring stretch of the game (32:24). Astana opened with a three-pointer from Alexander Orazbekov and a fast-break finish by T.J. Starks. However, the opponent quickly responded with a run of their own, extending their lead. Astana fought back, with Starks driving to the basket and setting up teammates, but containing Parma’s offensive momentum proved difficult.
In the final quarter, Parma maintained their comfortable lead, but Astana continued to battle until the final buzzer. Contributions from Sardal Abashidze, Vadim Shcherbak, and Vladislav Isayenko added valuable points to the team’s effort.
Game Highlights
Daniel Utomi remained 100% accurate from the free-throw line (8/8) and extended his streak to 16 consecutive games with at least one three-pointer.
Astana set a new club record for offensive rebounds (23).
Final Score:
Parma – Astana 106:73 (21:18, 21:11, 32:24, 32:20)
Top Performers:
Astana: Daniel Utomi (19 points), T.J. Starks (17 points, 6 assists), Danila Pokhodyaev (10 points, 8 rebounds), Galin Smith (10 points, 7 rebounds).
Gleb Plotnikov, Acting Head Coach of Astana:
«Congratulations to Parma on their win. They had an incredible shooting percentage today. For us, the first half was relatively balanced. Unfortunately, in the second quarter, we missed too many open shots near the rim, and Parma immediately punished us for it. They found their rhythm, and from that point on, it was tough to slow them down. Every defensive mistake we made was immediately exploited.»
