VTB United League. Day 15.
Avtodor (Saratov) vs. CSKA (Moscow) - 79-91 (20-22, 20-23, 23-19, 16-27).
Avtodor: Downs (15+3 rebounds+2 assists), Fortson (14+9 assists+3 rebounds), Klimenko (13+3 steals+2 rebounds), Peterson (12+9 rebounds+1 blocked shot), Vzdykhalkin (9+3 rebounds), Gudumak (7), Chappell (6+9 rebounds+7 assists+1 blocked shot), Bekkiev (3+2 rebounds+2 assists), Glazunov (0).
Didn't play: Fesenko, Lagutin.
CSKA: Teodosic (24+7 rebounds), Fridzon (14+6 rebounds+2 blocked shots), Kaun (13+3 rebounds), De Kolo (11+4 assists+2 steals).

GAME PHOTOS

GAME HIGHLIGHTS

PLAY OF THE DAY - Travis PETERSON

CSKA came to Saratov riding an impressive 24-game winning streak. Meanwhile, the hosts had collected five straight wins in the league of their own, looking to continue their recent success. The Crystal Sports Palace was sold out for the first time this season, with 5,500 in attendance.

Avtodor entered the contest shorthanded in the backcourt. Reserve center Alan Makiev has been loaned out for the rest of the season. Starting center Kyrylo Fesenko is still dealing with a sprained ankle he suffered last weekend against the Bisons and was replaced in the starting lineup by Artem Klimenko, who recently recovered from his knee injury. Avtodor's injury woes continued this past week with the news that starting forward Travis Peterson was hurt during practice and will be questionable for Sunday. But it wasn't as bad as anticipated and he was able to log 30 minutes without suffering any setbacks.

The first half was close throughout, with 11 lead changes and 10 ties. Both teams struggled from the floor and combined for 20 misses from beyond the arc. Alexey Vzdykhalkin knocked down a triple to tie the game at 40 with one minute to go, but CSKA responded with a 5-0 run to take a 45-40 lead at halftime.

A strong start after the break allowed Moscow to extend its lead to double digits. Sasha Kaun made a pair of free throws to put his team ahead by 12 late in the third, but Avtodor put together a 14-2 run and tied things up at 66 on a Chappell three-pointer. Fortson hit another three with 54 seconds remaining in the quarter and it was a one-point game entering the fourth.

The hosts took a one-point lead three times in the final period, but were unable to contain Milos Teodosic the rest of the way. The reigning playoff MVP scored 14 points in a five-minute span, including two key threes and led the visitors to their 25th straight victory.

Micah Downs led the home team in scoring with 15 points. Courtney Fortson had 14 points and dished out 9 assists. Artem Klimenko finished with 13 points, 12 of them in the first half. He also recorded a game-high three steals. Peterson and Chappell both grabbed 9 rebounds to go with 12 and 6 points, respectively.

Avtodor lost its first home game since Nov. 8, 2014, snapping a 5-game home winning streak. The team is now 7-8 on the season and 7-2 at home across all competitions. CSKA leads the league with a 14-1 record.