In the match of the regular season of VTB United League Astana at home lost to the Russian CSKA with the score - 60:78. Starting five Astana: Jerry Johnson, Nick Kaner-Medley, J'Covan Brown, Luksha Andric, Patrick Calathes.

 The score was opened by Patrick Calathes, he threw to basket of CSKA a  3-point shot, Nando de Colo responds with a 2-points. To 8 minutes of the first period, Astana was ahead. But CSKA basketball players were able to get ahead. Score after the first period - 14:19. It is worth noting in this match Patrick Calathes, who confidently acted in a three-second zone, and on the perimeter. Throughout the match Astana did not give up, but CSKA basketball players took the advantage at the expense of collective game with a lot of gear, and it repeatedly baffled defense capital team.

Second and subsequent quarters CSKA won by a whisker, but the overall gap has increased to 7 points (46:39).

Head coach of BC CSKA Dimitrios Itoudis:

- I congratulate my team with this victory, today we played well enough to win: not brilliant, but good. Well protected in the last quarter, in principle, quite seriously started the match, but the game can be seen that while the game is not brilliant, but preparing for something bigger. I wish the Astana and its new head coach of luck and success.

Comment head coach of FC Astana Ramunas Butautas:

- Of course CSKA plays at higher level. Before the game I told my guys that this team is the best in Europe. I hope that CSKA win in the Euroleague. I told this to basketball players before the match to stay focused on the game. In the game we fought for every throw in the opponents' basket. In sports anything can happen: it is possible that the weak can beat strong teams and win. Today, reserve players played a lot, because our goal was to keep high intensity, fast-break both in defense and in attack.

The best in Astana:

Patrick Calathes - 15 points, 8 rebounds; Rasid Mahalbasic - 11 points, 7 rebounds; J'Covan Brown - 8 points; Pavel Ilyin - 8 points.

Next match Astana on the road will play with the Romanian Energia in the tournament EuroChallenge on February 18, at 23.00 pm.

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