Russian Championship. Spartak SPb — BC Khimki — 72-8121 january 2009

In first match of second round of Russian Championship BC Khimki played away against "Spartak" Saint-Petersburg. First half of match players from "Spartak" had taken the lead, but in last 10 minutes BC Khimki came back into the game — 81-72 (11-17, 18-19, 23-22, 29-14). Next match our team will play at home on 24th of January against "Triumph" Lyubertsy.

Top scorers: Wilkinson (16), Ponkrashov (16 + 8 assists), Fridzon (11), Delfino (10), Mozgov (2 + 11 rebounds).

The starting line was: Palacio, Delfino, McCarty, Shabalkin, Mozgov. The score was opened 1.30 after the throw-up. Palacio made a steal and scored first points.

Mozgov outplayed Savrasenko under backboards. But because of efforts of Vishnevsky, the score after first period was in favor of “Spartak” — 11-17. In second period the advantage of home team was 10 points. But this fact raised BC Khimki to play more aggressive and intense.

Second half of match they played better. In last period Ponkrashov and McCarty cut and took the lead. The decisive moments were the three-pointer of Fridzon, and the steal of Ponkrashov. With 1 minute before the final buzzer BC Khimki had in advantage 10 points .


Sergio Scariolo. BC Khimki head coach:

— We scored a workmanlike victory over strong team. In first half we player bad, but the players, who came off the bench put on energy and intensity. In this moment I can mark Ponkrashov and Fridzon.