RUS - CSKA too strong for battling Khimki in Moscow derby

MOSCOW (Superleague) - CSKA broke open a close game midway through the third quarter en route to a convincing 87-72 triumph over BC Khimki in a Moscow derby on Saturday.

In a rematch of last year’s Superleague Finals showdown, defending champions CSKA led 52-46 midway through the third quarter when they went on a 19-4 run to take control for good.

Russian international center Aleksey Savrasenko grabbed an offensive rebound off a JR Holden miss and scored down low, with Holden then adding a basket and Trajan Langdon burying a three-pointer to spark the decisive surge.

When Theo Papaloukas nailed a three-ball just over a minute into the final quarter, CSKA were in command at 71-48 and they cruised home to their 10th win in 11 Superleague games.

CSKA trail only UNICS Kazan (10-0) in the Russian top flight.

Matjaz Smodis and Holden each had 17 points to pace CSKA, who are hoping to follow up their magnificent 2005-06 campaign when they won the Euroleague, Superleague and Russian Cup.

Savrasenko had an awesome game with 14 points and 11 rebounds

A pair of former Dynamo St Petersburg stars led Khimki.

Kelly McCarty had 20 points while team-mate Vladimir Veremeenko chipped in 14.

By PA Sport