“Zenit” defeated “Khimki” at home in Game 1 of the semifinals of the VTB United league – 99:95.
The first half met expectations as “Zenit” and “Khimki” battled for every square inch of the court. The home team took a long time to find its rhythm, but kept Moscow Region from pulling away, trailing by a point at the end of the 1st quarter. Eight points in two minutes from Sergey Karasev pushed “Zenit’s” lead to 13 early in the 3rd quarter. “Khimki” battled back, pushing the tempo in transition. Both teams had a chance to win it in the final minutes but “Zenit” was better in the end of the game.
Sergey Karasev scored 21 points and made 5 assists, in “Khimki” Earl Rowland scored 12 points.
