Krasny Oktyabr claims its first Last 32 victory

Krasny Oktyabr Volgograd picked up its first Last 32 victory by edging CAI Zaragoza 71-66 in Group I. Both teams have now 1-2 records at the midway point in the stage. The hosts used an 11-0 run bridging halftime to take a comfortable margin they kept till the end. Randy Culpepper stood out with 21 points and 4 assists for the winners, and Donnie McGrath added 17 points. Stevan Jelovac led all the scorers with 27 points on 3-of-3 three-point shooting and 10 for 10 from the foul line, while Rasko Katic scored 16.

Early in the game the score was tied three times before a three-point-play by Romeo Travis put the home team in front 15-12. Late in the quarter the visitors tied it twice more before Culpepper went all the way for a 21-17 lead. Stevan Jelovac hit from mid-range to make it 21-19 at the first buzzer. Katic tied things at 22-22 for Zaragoza. Krasny Oktyabr held on to a slim margin fueled inside by Lamont Hamilton and from downtown by Culpepper to go up 33-27 with four minutes left till halftime. McGrath hit a three to make it 36-29. Jelovac kept the guests close, but a three-pointer by Artem Komissarov gave a 42-33 advantage to the hosts at halftime.

A three-point-play by Culpepper capped an 11-0 run that bridged halftime to make it 47-33. Henk Norel, Jelovac and Katic did not give up and fought hard to trim the deficit after Travis made it 52-37. The visitors came within 56-47 at the last break. McGrath scored from mid-range and fueled Krasny Oktyabr opening the final stanza before Jelovac and Katic made it 60-54. Komissarov’s layup and additional free throws gave oxygen to the home team to go ahead 65-56. McGrath sank back-to-back jumpers and with 1:16 left, the game seemed to be over with the home team leading 69-60. Jelovac scored 4 throws and a lay up to get within 71-66 with 16 seconds remaining, but it wasn’t enough for the visitors.