Zenit’s reserve team falls short in Irkutsk
Despite trailing by 16 points during the game, Oliver Popovic's squad managed to fight back and cut the deficit to just one. However, the final minutes favored the home team. Following 26th round of the Fonbet Super League regular season, Zenit-2 retains its 4th place in the standings.
Starting Five for Zenit-2: Pavel Zemskiy, Vladislav Samukhin, Daniil Aksenov, Ilyas Abdul and Ivan Prokopenko.
The game opened with both teams exchanging scoring runs. Zemskiy’s put-back and Prokopenko’s and-one were met with a three-pointer from Pokinko and a drive by Tikhonenko. However, Zenit-2 took the initiative again with a 7:0 run. Irkut quickly responded, leveling the game and preventing the visitors from pulling ahead. Midway through the quarter, Zenit-2’s newcomer, Maxim Karvanen, made his debut and soon hit a three-pointer. At the end of the first ten minutes, the home team held a narrow lead, 22:20.
After a short break, the game's momentum shifted dramatically. Irkut went on a 10:0 run while Zenit-2 struggled offensively. It took four minutes into the quarter for Prokopenko to finally end Zenit’s scoring drought with a drive to the basket. The home team’s solid lead allowed them to control the pace, making the second quarter the least productive one (14:6). By halftime, Irkut led 36:26.
In the second half, both teams picked up the pace, battling for every inch of the court. The hosts aimed to extend their lead, reaching a 16-point advantage. However, Zenit-2’s experienced players managed to halt their opponents' momentum just in time. Aksenov hit a three-pointer, Karvanen threw down a powerful dunk, and Akhmedov completed a solo drive to the hoop with seven seconds left in the quarter. Heading into the final period, Zenit-2 had cut the gap to ten points — 56:46.
The fourth quarter started strong for Zenit-2, with Karvanen dunking again and Aksenov draining another three-pointer, bringing the deficit to just six points. It seemed like Zenit-2 had a real chance to turn the game around, but Irkut quickly restored a comfortable lead through successful offensive plays and consistent free-throw shooting. With five minutes left, Prokopenko hit a three, and Akhmedov converted his free throws, setting up an intense finish. Zenit-2 continued to chip away at the deficit — Aksenov sank another trademark three while Karvanen and Zemskiy repeatedly attacked the basket. With 11 seconds left, the scoreboard showed just a three-point difference. Prokopenko’s drive cut the gap to one and then fouled Pokinko, who made only one of his free throws. Zenit-2 had one last chance, but Aksenov’s buzzer-beating three-pointer missed. The final score — 73:71.
Top performers for Zenit-2: Ivan Prokopenko (18 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal), Maxim Karvanen (16 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal), Daniil Aksenov (16 points, 7 assists, 4 rebounds).
In the next round of the regular season, Zenit-2 will face Khimki on the road. The game is scheduled for March 7 at 19:00 St. Petersburg time. The match will be streamed on the Russian Basketball Federation’s website.
