In the second game of the Fonbet Russian Championship – Superleague series, the UMMC farm team managed to take revenge on Sparta and K-2 from Vidnoje with a 59:60 victory.
Scores by quarter: 16:11, 17:11, 23:25, 9:13
After yesterday’s hard-fought loss, the younger “Foxes” from Yekaterinburg came out with a determined mindset and faced Sparta with the clear intention of settling the score. The first quarter began cautiously, with both teams sizing each other up while playing through long combinations. However, from the middle of the opening quarter, the Yekaterinburg team took control of the game, increasing their lead to 10 points. The visitors tried to regain the initiative, but the hosts’ solid play under the basket and smart defense kept the score in their favor – 16:11.
In the second quarter, the UMMC farm team slightly slowed down, and the players of Pavel Ryllo immediately took advantage of this. In the fifth minute, the scoreboard showed a tie, and the game became a close contest. However, Sofia Golubeva’s confidence in the paint helped regain the lead, and the period ended with a comfortable 33:22 score for the hosts.
After the halftime break, the “Foxes” continued to dominate. Samusheva and Sudarikova confidently performed both from beyond the arc and from mid-range, increasing the gap to 12 points. The Vidnoje team began to make frustrating turnovers, which the hosts quickly converted into successful attacks. Despite a couple of good moments for the guests, the third quarter ended in favor of UMMC-Junior as well, with a score of 56:47.
But at the start of the final period, Sparta and K-2 switched to full power. Confident steals, three-pointers from Panchenko, and aggressive pressing reduced the gap to just one successful attack. The stands held their breath, but the players of Elena Kuzmina remained unfazed: they only started scoring key points in the seventh minute, but that was enough. The final buzzer confirmed their victory – 65:60.
The highest-scoring player for UMMC-Junior was Sofia Golubeva – 17 points, 8 rebounds. Svetlana Samusheva – 15 points, 2 rebounds. Alena Burmakina – 10 points, 4 rebounds.
In the squad of Sparta and K-2, Alexandra Panchenko scored 12 points and grabbed 1 rebound, while Sofia Stepanova had 11 points and 7 rebounds.
The next series of games for the junior “Foxes” will take place in 2025. On January 11 and 12, they will host the newcomers to the Superleague, the “Vladimir Lionesses,” on the home court of the Sports Palace of UMMC. The games start at 13:00.