RUS - CSKA fall at Spartak

ST PETERSBURG (PBL) - CSKA Moscow were outscored 28-12 in the fourth quarter and crashed to an 89-71 defeat at Spartak Saint-Petersburg over the weekend in a Russian top-flight game.

Dmitry Shakulin’s side trailed 61-58 going into the final frame and were then blown away with Henry Domercant scoring 14 of his game-high 23 points for the home side in the last 10 minutes.

The result has left CKSA one and a half games behind UNICS Kazan in the PBL.

“Spartak played a great game overall,” Shakulin said.

“We were out-rebounded, the opponents shot with a high percentage and in the last quarter, when Domercant was on fire, we tried to play more active perimeter defense but they immediately received six points from (center Peter) Popovic.

“We fought but played a terrible fourth quarter. The result (of the quarter) - 28-12 - speaks for itself.”

CSKA have had a lot of injuries this season and didn’t not make it into the Euroleague Top 16.

“Our problems are well-known but they cannot be used as excuse,” Shakulin said.

“We have played with the same roster for a long time.

“Young players are now playing more than in previous seasons and that gives some cause to be optimistic.”

With leaders UNICS (10-3) idle and CSKA falling, Lokomotiv Kuban had a chance to take over sole possession of second place but they fell 81-76 at BC Khimki.

Keith Langford of Khimki, who had 22 points, scored to snap a 62-62 tie with 6:30 remaining to put Khimki in front to stay.

FIBA