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UMMC defeat Samara in the first quarterfinal game

The UMMC basketball team played their first game in the quarterfinals of the Fonbet Russian Premier League Championship. In Samara, the “Foxes” secured a victory in a tough battle against the local team Samara.

Samara (Samara) – UMMC (Yekaterinburg) 79:82

Quarters’ results: 25:19, 16:22, 10:22, 28:19

The first quarter was tense. The team of Dmitrii Donskov opened the scoring, but the hosts quickly gained the advantage. The effective performance of Megan Walker and Olairi Kosu are deserving notice - together they scored 13 points in the first stretch. By the second ten-minute period, the score was 25:19 in favor of Samara.

In the second quarter, the UMMC players showed their strength. The lead of Samara disappeared within 7 minutes of playing time. Megan Walker and Viktoriia Zavialova tied the score with accurate shots from beyond the arc - 41:41 after the first half of the game.

At the start of the third quarter, Olairi Kosu's spectacular drive to the basket and an accurate three-pointer from Tina Krajisnik gave UMMC a 5-point advantage. Alex Bentley also converted her first three-pointer in this stretch, and Zhosselina Maiga scored from mid-range, that gave the “Foxes” a comfortable 10-point lead. The period ended with a score of 51:63 in favor of UMMC.

The final quarter turned out to be tense and eventful. The early advantage of the Yekaterinburg team was erased two minutes before the end of the game. Players and fans of both teams were on an emotional roller coaster - opponents exchanged accurate shots from beyond the arc alternately. Maryia Papova and Alex Bentley did not falter at the crucial moment – they scored two successful three-pointers. By making two out of two free throws, Alex Bentley increased UMMC's lead, resulting in a victory in the first game of the quarterfinals with a score of 79:82.

In the squad of UMMC, Megan Walker became the top-scorer with 19 points and 8 rebounds; followed by Olairi Kosu who finished with 18 points and 6 rebounds. Anastasiia Shilova added 12 points and 1 rebound. Alexandria Bentley collected 11 points and 3 rebounds.

In the squad of Samara, Daria Kurilchuk became the scoring leader with 19 points and 1 rebound. Julia Poluyanova had 17 points and 6 rebounds. Daria Kolosovskaya accumulated 14 points and 4 rebounds.