News
UMMC convincingly beat MBA in the first semi-final game
On April 11, on the home court of DIVS Arena, the "Foxes" faced MBA Moscow in the semi-final series of the Fonbet Russian Championship. The game took place on April 11 and ended with a convincing victory for the hosts.
UMMC (Yekaterinburg) – MBA (Moscow) 88:57
Quarters' results: 29:13, 18:19, 21:12, 20:13
The Moscow players opened the scoring with an accurate three-pointer, followed by an equal response from Maryia Papova. Starting from the third minute, the "Foxes" took the lead - Zhosselina Maiga and Sparkle Taylor successfully converted layups, with both athletes contributing 5 effective attacks. The quarter ended with a comfortable 16-point lead for the home team - 29:13.
The second ten-minute period was closely contested. It is worth noting that Zhosselina Maiga already scored 13 points in the first half of the game. Towards the end of the quarter, MBA players attempted to reduce the gap, which paid off – the teams went for the halftime break with a score of 47:32 in favor of UMMC.
In the third quarter, the hosts dominated on the court. Almost from the start, Maryia Papova made another accurate shot from behind the arc, followed by a mid-range shot, increasing the lead of Dmitrii Donskov's team to 17 points. Kseniia Levchenko also stood out in this part of the game scoring 6 points in a minute of playing time. Before the final stretch, UMMC Yekaterinburg was ahead by 24 points with a score of 68:44.
There was no intrigue in the last quarter either. The question of the winner was settled in the third minute - the advantage of the Yekaterinburg team reached 30 points. Such a difference was maintained until the final buzzer that sealed the victory of the hosts in the first game of the semi-final series with a score of 88:57.
Dmitrii Donskov, UMMC head coach:
- The most decisive games have arrived. To reach the final, we need to beat MBA. The focus during the analysis of our opponents was on being close to any player on the three-point line in defense. We managed to do it; the girls were concentrated. Everything worked out well in offence too.
UMMC saw three players reach 13 points - Zhosselina Maiga, Maryia Papova and Kseniia Levchenko. Olairi Kosu added 9 points and 9 rebounds. Anastasiia Shilova had 8 points and 5 rebounds, Sparkle Taylor finished with 8 points and 2 rebounds.
In the squad of MBA, Maria Korshakova became the top-scorer with 14 points and 3 rebounds. Olga Frolkina harvested 12 points and 1 rebound. Maria Krymova, Valentina Kozhukhar and Nina Glonti scored 7 points apiece.
The next game in the semifinals of the Fonbet Russian Championship will take place on Monday, April 15, in Moscow. The broadcast will start at 21:30 (Yekaterinburg time).