Zenit-2 scores hundred points for the second consecutive match
Zenit’s farm team returns to their home arena with another high-scoring performance. A spectacular third-quarter by Pavel Zemskiy helped the blue-whites secure a confident victory in the penultimate, 29th round of the Fonbet Super League regular season. This win against the Rostov team allowed Oliver Popovic’s squad to retain their 4th place in the standings.
Pavel Zemskiy, Maxim Karvanen, Vladislav Samukhin, Daniil Aksenov and Ivan Prokopenko started the game for Zenit-2.
From the first minutes, both teams set a high tempo, exchanging successful attacks. It was a fast-paced game filled with aggressive drives and dangerous shots. Zemskiy and Prokopenko thrilled the crowd with individual breakthroughs, while Karvanen, playing his first home game after returning to St. Petersburg, threw down a powerful dunk. Until the middle of the first quarter, the teams were evenly matched, not allowing each other to gain any significant lead. Zenit-2 committed frequent defensive fouls, but the visitors failed to capitalize on their free-throw opportunities (2/9 by the end of the quarter). The introduction of Egor Ryzhov added energy to Zenit-2, allowing them to build a lead. The St. Petersburg center recorded 9 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists in the first period. At one point, the hosts led by 9 points, but by the first break, the score stood at 26:19.
In the second quarter, the visitors improved their free-throw accuracy, converting eight consecutive attempts and slightly narrowing the gap. BARS-RGEU struggled with their field goal attempts, only on fifth period's minute finally breaking the drought with a three-pointer from Egor Sytnikov. By that time, Zenit-2 had already settled into their rhythm, extending their lead to 12 points. However, the hosts could not maintain this advantage. The Rostov team capitalized on a series of mistakes by Zenit-2 and even took the lead with two minutes left before halftime. But the trio of Ryzhov-Zemskiy-Prokopenko restored control, sending Zenit-2 into the locker room with a 47:43 advantage.
The third quarter became a personal showcase for Pavel Zemskiy. The Zenit-2 forward delivered a phenomenal performance, scoring 17 points in the period, effectively securing the game's outcome. The visitors struggled to keep up with the pace set by the St. Petersburg team, and the lead quickly ballooned beyond 20 points. Khodorich and Evstafiev hit shots from beyond the arc, Akhmedov confidently converted free throws, and Karvanen made explosive drives to the basket. Heading into the final quarter, Zenit-2 led 82:62.
Starting the final stretch with intense competition, the hosts briefly eased their pressure, allowing BARS-RGEU to cut the deficit to 11 points. However, Zenit-2 maintained control of the game, and the quarter, like the entire match, remained high-scoring (27:32). The St. Petersburg squad quickly reached the 100-point mark, with the game’s hero, Pavel Zemskiy, sinking another three-pointer. Final score — a confident 109:94 victory.
The standout performers for Zenit-2 were Pavel Zemskiy (28 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 block), Egor Ryzhov (17 points, 12 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 steal) and Daniil Aksenov (11 points, 3 assists, 1 rebound, 1 steal).
In the final round of the 2024/25 Fonbet Super League regular season, Zenit-2 will host SSOR Lokomotiv Kuban on the home court. The match against the Krasnodar team will take place on March 23 at the Basketball Academy (Severnaya Road, 12). Tip-off is at 16:00 St. Petersburg time. Admission is free for all fans, and the game will be streamed live on the Russian Basketball Federation's website.
