Turow goes down fighting

In Week 9 of the regular season, Russian UNICS overcame Polish Turow on the road, 69-64. The game went down to the wire, Chuck Eidson’s 3-pointer helping Kazan to its seventh win of the season.

Intro
UNICS is picking up steam. The Kazan club advanced to the second round of the Eurocup, first place in the group. The Russians appear to have similar designs on the VTB United League. Aco Petrovic’s squad had won five of six coming into Zgorzelec and intended to win again, keeping pressure on the Group A leaders.

In the opening minutes, the veteran Russians met with ferocious opposition from their humble Polish hosts. A fast start and the support of the fans clearly gave Turow added confidence. They played fast and loose, firing often from long range. UNICS looked lost, but thanks to Ian Vougioukas and Mike Wilkinson they still managed to score some points – the Greek and American could not be stopped under the basket. If not for their efforts, the home team may have led by even more after the first half, 39-35.

Aco Petrovic must have used halftime well. The Kazan natives looked remarkably transformed – holding back little, they seized the lead. Mire Chatman and Chuck Eidson began helping out UNICS’s big men on offense. Turow, nonetheless, matched their visitors’ intensity, showing no intention of folding so easily. Ivan Zigeranovic and Aaron Cel led Zgorzelec back into the game; they grabbed a 2-point lead after three quarters, 56-54. An exciting fourth quarter awaited.

Turning Point
Though the Russian club improved its defense and took the momentum, they could not drop the stubborn Poles. Only Eidson’s 3-pointer with a minute left decided the game. The American’s long-range shot demoralized the home team and fixed the final score, 69-64. UNICS wins again. Following the game, the Polish fans applauded and greeted the Turow players, who had certainly deserved their praise.

Star of the Game
Chuck Eidson. The American forward may not have been the most visible on his team, but his productivity on both ends drove UNICS throughout the game. He scored and rebounded, in addition to assisting and snagging several important steals. Finally, Eidson nailed the most important shot of the game. All these factors combined make the veteran foreigner tonight’s Star of the Game.

Stat of the Game
15-8. Turow’s opening run. The Kazan club started the game slowly and paid for it. This Polish club can’t be so easily overcome. UNICS could have dropped a game in the standings, but they pulled it together, proving their superiority in the final 10 minutes.

Top Performers
Turow: Aaron Cel – 11 points, seven rebounds.
UNICS: Ian Vougioukas – 17 points, five rebounds.

Picture of the Game