CSKA of Moscow has broken out of its Euroleague winless streak in a big way on Thursday by knocking off Yugoslava power Buducnost of Podgorica by 72-103 on the road in a Group C blowout. The 31-point margin in a tough gym says a lot about the talent CSKA is able to assemble despite having opened the season with back-to-back losses. CSKA stormed over their hosts on the Podgorica floor with an incredible third period in which it outscored Buducnost 18-33.
Early in the game the Russian took short leads using an excellent defense and accuracy from behind the arc. Nikita Morgounov and Gordan Giricek were in this first minutes the main threats for the guests, CSKA had the control of the boards and thus could fastbreak and free its shooters. Buducnot had problems containing CSKA's speed, but held close with a final jumper by Igor Rakocevic, making it 20-28 at the end of the period. The music didn¿t change in the second period, when seven points in a row by Giricek gave CKSA a 25-38 lead after four minutes. The hometeam continued to shot badly from deep, 0-for-12 to that point, but finally Radonjic was able to connect from long distance and Buducnost was able to limit the damage at the break to 33-45.
After the half, Buducnost got a jump with two three-pointers by Radonjic to come within 39-50, but their accuracy tailed off again and CSKA got easy baskets and started to break open the game. The visitors talent seemed too much five players dribbling, shooting and passing well for one fastbreak basket after another. Buducnost coach Zoran Sretenovic tried to change players to find the right line up but his team defense was too soft for CSKA's international talent. The visitors' advantage soared to 50-78 at the end of the period with CSKA's players giving a spectacle with incredible highlights.
The Buducnost fans did not appreciate it, however. The fourth quarter ws played in a surreal atmosphere, soft defense, easy baskets and the fans whistling their team, whose record dropped to 0-3.
Thursday, October 25, 2001
M.K., Podgorica
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