By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
O. J. Mayo connecting a midrange jumper lifted UNICS Kazan to the triple-overtime win, 105-103, versus CSKA Moscow Monday evening.
Mayo, 34, was limited to three points and 13:49 but became the hero of VTB United League’s instant classic lasting 55 minutes. His side avenged a recent Turkish Airlines EuroLeague loss to CSKA and improved its league-leading record to 11-2 sending its opponent down to 9-4.
OJ MAYO at the BUZZER
UNICS beats CSKA after the THIRD overtime!pic.twitter.com/Zb44azbXQS
— Eurohoops (@Eurohoopsnet) February 7, 2022
Fellow former NBA player Mario Hezonja registered a season-high 31 points behind 12/26 field goals and pulled down ten rebounds. Nigerian center Tonye Jekiri posted a 10-point, 10-rebound double-double at Megasport Arena. Lorenzo Brown exited due to injury with four points in 14 minutes and recently returning John Holland was not available for the team coached by Velimir Perasovic.
Red-hot Daniel Hackett pouring 33 points was not enough for the team usually guided by Dimitris Itoudis. Lead assistant Andreas Pistiolis continued as the acting head coach due to Itoudis dealing with an illness. Johannes Voigtmann (knee), Will Clyburn (hip), and Tornike Shengelia (leg) stayed on the injury list, but newcomer Allerik Freeman debuted moving through three fruitless minutes.
With Conner Frankamp (ankle), Shabazz Napier (ankle), Mateusz Ponitka, and Arturas Gudaitis (ankle) all out, Zenit Saint Petersburg hanged on to edge Kalev/Cramo Tallinn, 75-74. Alex Poythress stood out with 21 points and seven rebounds. Jordan Loyd, Jordan Mickey, and Sergey Karasev added 11 points each. Xavi Pascual’s side went up to 10-3, remaining one win behind leading UNICS.
The hosts dropped to 3-9 with their fourth loss in a row. Iowa State alumnus Donovan Jackson put up a game-high 27 points but to no avail.
Photo Credit: EuroLeagueBasketball.net