«Енисей» Красноярск, Россия vs. «Зенит» Санкт-Петербург, Россия

Zenit opened up the 2015/16 VTB United League season with an impressive 102:94 come-from-behind win over Enisey in Krasnoyarsk. Having arrived on the game day thus sacrificing any practices, the visitors needed the entire first half to find their rhythm, but once they got going int he second half, there was no stopping them.

Ryan Toolson caught fire from beyond the ark early on for Zenit with 11 points, setting a tone for a high-scoring affair. As a result, both teams were deadlocked at 30 at the end of period one.

Enisey managed to contain Toolson in the second quarter, keeping up with their own pace offensively and claiming a 59:46 first half lead.

Coach Karasev used the intermission to revitalise his team, which gave Enisey a 17:31 blow. Janis Timma, Ryan Toolson and and Pavel Antipov just would not miss, and their efforts were converted into a one-point lead prior to entering game’s final quarter.

Zenit carried the momentum over into the 4th and never looked back. Enisey's head coach Sergey Okulov tried various defensive sets, but nothing seemed to work out for his team as they fell in season opener.

The Hero
Zabian Dowdell was key to Zenit’s success in the second half. He was unstoppable driving to the basket and reliable from the free throw line during the clutch moments of the contest.

The Number
196 - that’s how many points both teams scored combined. Quite a feat to start the season.

Quotes
Enisey’s head coach Oleg Okulov:
Unfortunately we didn’t execute on defense and I can also take the heat for that. As much as I was trying to keep my team concentrated to start the second half, it did not work. Zenit came back into the game, we felt the pressure and stopped executing.

Zenit’s head coach Vasiliy Karasev:
We blew the first half, but this might have something to do with the long trip here. This was the first game of the season and winning it was important for us. Especially considering the fact that Enisey is a much stronger team this season. We are good in a high-pace game and when we stared to utilise this kind of basketball, things started to really work out for us. Shooting so well from beyond the ark was also an important factor for us.

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