As part of the Fonbet Russian Championship – Premier League, the home game in Yekaterinburg was intense, with UMMC and Nadezhda Orenburg trading points throughout most of the contest. The league leaders held their composure in the final minutes to secure an 80–70 win.

Quarter-by-quarter scores: 17–21, 26–18, 18–16, 19–15

The first quarter set the tone for the entire game. Both teams started evenly, exchanging baskets, but Nadezhda went ahead by six points with two minutes remaining. Dmitrii Donskov’s timeout briefly slowed the visitors’ momentum, as the hosts cut the deficit and ramped up their defensive intensity. Still, Evgeny Ivanov’s team took the first quarter, 21–17.   

In the second quarter, the Foxes turned up their signature pressure defense and increased the pace of play. About halfway through the period, the score was tied, and a clutch three-pointer from Bentley gave UMMC the lead for the first time. Nadezhda quickly responded with two long-range shots, but the home team controlled the final moments of the quarter. At halftime, the reigning champions held a narrow but important advantage — 43–39.

The third quarter turned into a true battle of character. It was a back-and-forth contest, with plenty of contact under the rim. Late in the period, Dmitrii Donskov’s squad found their rhythm and went on a run to extend the lead to eight points. Strong finishes from Tretyakova and a three-pointer from Komarova in response made it 61–55 heading into the final quarter, while an injury to Nadezhda center Monroe dealt a significant blow to the visitors.

In the fourth quarter, nerves were on edge. By the fourth minute, the Orenburg team had once again leveled the score, and the crowd held its breath. However, at that crucial moment, Bentley calmly knocked down a key three-pointer, giving the Foxes control of the game. The visitors’ mistakes, five fouls on one Nadezhda player, and a confident finish allowed the hosts to pull ahead by 10 points with a minute remaining. UMMC secured their 21st victory, 80–70.    

UMMC: Klyundikova (double-double – 17 points, 12 rebounds), Bentley (17 points, 3 rebounds), Kosu (14 points, 3 rebounds), Maiga (10 points, 3 rebounds)

Nadezhda: Beverly (16 points, 6 rebounds), Komarova (14 points, 2 rebounds), Komarova and Monroe (10 points each)

The Foxes will play their next game at home as well, though in Verkhnyaya Pyshma. On February 14, at the UMMC Sports Palace, they will face Dynamo Moscow. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:00 p.m.