VEF Riga, Latvia vs. UNICS Kazan, Russia

UNICS defeated VEF in Riga, 81-69. The home team led at halftime, but Kazan took control down the stretch, picking up a 12-point win on the road to improve to 20-3.

Recap
After losses to Zielona Gura in the Eurocup and CSKA in the VTB United League, Evgeny Pashutin's men were desperate to bounce back. VEF, meanwhile, was looking to continue its momentum from February and deal UNICS another setback in the league.

Riga jumped out to an early 8-1 lead, before Konstantinos Kaimakoglou, Keith Langford and Quino Colom fired back, giving the visitors a five-point lead at the end of the 1st quarter.

Led by Arturs Strelnieks, Francisco Cruz and Janis Berzins on the perimeter, VEF steamrolled UNICS in the 2nd quarter, opening the period on a 25-6 run. The visitors cut the deficit to eight by halftime, 43-35, but had to be concerned entering the locker room.

The momentum began to swing back to UNICS in the third period. Colom and Langford were sharp on offense, getting Artsiom Parakhouski involved on the pick-and-roll. The defense also delivered, limiting Riga to 13 points in the quarter. Entering the 4th, UNICS was back on top, 61-56.

VEF kept the score close for much of the 4th quarter, but eventually ran out steam. Langord, Colom, Parakhouski and Kaimakoglou were efficient from the field, helping the visitors pick up a 10-point lead, 75-65, late in the game. Mareks Mejeris cut the deficit to seven from beyond the arc, but Langford and Kaimakoglou responded with 3's of their own, securing the win for Kazan.

Star Player
Keith Langford. The VTB United League's leading scorer was terrific once again, setting up teammates with his paint penetration and scoring down the stretch.

Stat of the Game
59-81 - Three players--Langford, Colom and Kaimakoglou--did most of the scoring for UNICS.

Snapshot