The home game of the FONBET Russian Championship – Superleague in Verkhnyaya Pyshma turned into a playoff-worthy drama. UMMC-Junior hosted Sparta&K-2 (Vidnoje) and managed to avenge their loss from the first matchup, securing an 82–80 victory. The winner was determined only in the final minute, with Sofia Golubeva emerging as the Foxes’ key leader, scoring 30 points.

Quarter scores: 22–28, 17–21, 14–14, 29–7

The first quarter was fast-paced and entertaining, with both teams trading three-pointers and keeping the intensity at maximum from the start. The young Foxes opened the game with Samusheva knocking down the first basket, but Sparta&K’s leader Dovnar-Zapolskaia responded immediately — and by the fifth minute had already racked up an impressive 13 points. Karolina Korkina and Polina Gusakova contributed from beyond the arc to keep UMMC close, maintaining the intrigue on the scoreboard. Yet Sparta&K finished the quarter stronger: after Samusheva hit from long range once again, the visitors countered with a three of their own, closing the first period with a 28-22 advantage.

In the second quarter, Pavel Ryllo’s squad tried to take control of the game. Sergienko drained a crucial three-pointer, pushing the lead to 9 points, and a minute later Sparta&K extended it to ten. UMMC’s farm team remained competitive thanks to Korkina’s activity, who once again scored from deep, but the Moscow team managed the tempo effectively. The margin hovered around ten points for most of the period, and the teams headed into halftime with a familiar 39–49 — all in Sparta&K’s favor.

The third quarter turned into a true battle between the leaders of both teams. Sofia Golubeva shone from all distances — driving to the basket, hitting mid-range jumpers, and draining trees. Lyashenko for the visitors responded in kind, matching every move. The teams split the quarter evenly, 14-14, leaving the overall score at 53-63 and maintaining the 10-point gap. The tension remained high, with the outcome still hanging in the balance, waiting for the decisive moment.

And the moment finally arrived — the final quarter turned into an orange-and-white storm! Elena Kuzmina’s squad went on a 5-0 run, cutting the deficit to just two scoring plays, then tied the game and, for the first time in a long while, took the lead. The tense duel continued with every possession: Golubeva hit a crucial three-pointer, bringing her total to 30 points, while Shopot responded with a successful long-range shot, keeping the suspense at its peak. The closing minutes were neck-and-neck, but the younger Foxes showed their character — 82-80, and UMMC-Junior claim a well-deserved revenge.

UMMC-Junior: Golubeva (30 points, 7 rebounds), Samusheva (12 points, 6 rebounds)

Sparta&K-2: Lyashenko (20 points, 3 rebounds), Dovnar-Zapolskaia (16 points, 7 rebounds), Sergienko (11 points, 1 rebound)

The Foxes will play their next game at home again, at the Sports Palace of UMMC. On December 4, they will face Dynamo-Farm from Kursk, with the tip-off scheduled for 3:00 PM.