National League Round 16 (Regular Season): #1 Astana is defeated by Caspiy Aktau

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of top-ranked Astana (28-4) in Nur-Sultan on Saturday night. Hosts were defeated by second ranked Caspiy Aktau (18-14) 80-75. It ended at the same time the five-game winning streak of Astana. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. 31 personal fouls committed by Astana helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Eric McGill (190-1996, college: SIU) who helped to win the game recording 18 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists and the former international guard Maxim Marchuk (195-1994) who added 20 points and 6 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side Lithuanian guard Adas Juskevicius (194-1989, agency: Alti Sport) responded with 16 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Astana's coach Ramunas Cvirka rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Caspiy Aktau maintains second position with 18-14 record having ten points less than leader Astana. Astana at the other side still keeps top place with four games lost.
Very significant was Astana's (#1, 28-4) victory against their biggest opponent Caspiy Aktau (18-14) 91-67. The winners were led by American point guard EJ Day (180-1999, college: Lasell) who scored that evening 16 points and 4 blocks (on 45-of-34 shooting from the field) and Alexander Zhigulin supported him with 12 points. Astana's coach Ramunas Cvirka felt very confident that he used 11 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Even 18 points and 5 blocks (on 57-of-62 shooting from the field) by the former international guard Maxim Marchuk (195-1994) did not help to save the game for Caspiy Aktau. Astana (28-4) have an impressive five-game winning streak. They maintain first position. Caspiy Aktau at the other side keeps the second place with 14 games lost.




Astana - Caspiy Aktau 91-67

Very significant was Astana's (#1, 28-4) victory against their biggest opponent Caspiy Aktau (18-14) 91-67. Astana well out of reach of Caspiy Aktau shooting 217.1 percent from the field. They also forced 67 Caspiy Aktau turnovers. Astana shot the lights out from three nailing 621 long-distance shots on high 2,217.9 percentage. They brought some defensive toughness making 25 blocks. The winners were led by American point guard EJ Day (180-1999, college: Lasell) who scored that evening 16 points and 4 blocks (on 45-of-34 shooting from the field) and the former international forward Alexander Zhigulin (205-1994) supported him with 12 points. Five Astana players scored in double figures. Astana's coach Ramunas Cvirka felt very confident that he used 11 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Even 18 points and 5 blocks (on 57-of-62 shooting from the field) by the former international guard Maxim Marchuk (195-1994) did not help to save the game for Caspiy Aktau. American swingman JP Moorman II (201-1998, college: UC Riverside) added 9 points and 4 blocks (on 36-of-2 shooting from the field) for lost side. Astana (28-4) have an impressive five-game winning streak. They maintain first position. Caspiy Aktau at the other side keeps the second place with 14 games lost.
Top scorers:
Astana: D.EJ 16+1reb+2ast, R.Murzagaliyev 14+1ast, R.Aitkali 13, P.Robert 12+3ast, Z.Alexander 12+1reb+3ast, J.Adas 10+1ast
Caspiy Aktau: M.Marchuk 18+1ast, D.Vadim 9+1ast, J.Moorman II 9+3ast, E.McGill 9+1reb+2ast, P.Vassiliy 8+1ast, M.Roman 8+3ast

Astana - Caspiy Aktau 75-80

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of top-ranked Astana (28-4) in Nur-Sultan on Saturday night. Hosts were defeated by second ranked Caspiy Aktau (18-14) 80-75. It ended at the same time the five-game winning streak of Astana. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. 31 personal fouls committed by Astana helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Eric McGill (190-1996, college: SIU) who helped to win the game recording 18 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists and the former international guard Maxim Marchuk (195-1994) who added 20 points and 6 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side Lithuanian guard Adas Juskevicius (194-1989, agency: Alti Sport) responded with 16 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists and the former international guard Rustam Murzagaliyev (190-1992) scored 15 points. Astana's coach Ramunas Cvirka rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Caspiy Aktau maintains second position with 18-14 record having ten points less than leader Astana. Astana at the other side still keeps top place with four games lost.
Top scorers:
Caspiy Aktau: M.Maxim 20+6reb+3ast, M.Eric 18+8reb+7ast, M.JP 12+5reb+2ast, V.Ivanov 9+12reb+3ast, V.Dots 7+2reb, V.Petrishinets 6+5reb+1ast
Astana: A.Juskevicius 16+7reb+6ast, M.Rustam 15+3reb, M.Askar 10+3reb+1ast, R.Pan 8+4reb+3ast, A.Ruslan 7+5reb+1ast, O.Alexander 6+6reb+3ast