In Game 1 of the FONBET Russian Premier League semifinals, the Yekaterinburg team left Orenburg with no chance. The reigning champions set the tone from the opening minutes and cruised to a convincing 91–55 win, taking a significant step toward the Finals.

Score by quarters: 23–9, 20–17, 31–15, 17–14

The hosts struck first and immediately imposed an aggressive offensive rhythm, though Orenburg responded with a three-pointer from Kolosovskaya. Both teams traded baskets through the midpoint of the first quarter, before UMMC ramped up the pressure. A quick 5–0 run was followed by a triple from Alex Bentley, stretching the lead to eight. When Nogic connected from beyond the arc, the margin grew to 11 points, and Orenburg struggled to keep pace. By the end of the period, Bentley had 12 points, and the 23–9 scoreline clearly reflected UMMC’s dominance on both ends of the floor.

In the second quarter, the visitors tried to even the score, but the Foxes controlled the tempo. Nogic opened the period with another long-range shot, then a series of turnovers by Evgeny Ivanov’s squad allowed UMMC to push the lead to 22 points by the third minute. Bentley continued to dismantle the opposing defense, attacking confidently from both the perimeter and under the basket. Nadezhda showed some life only in the closing minutes of the half, knocking down a few long-range shots. At halftime, UMMC held a comfortable 43–26 advantage.

The third quarter removed any doubt about the outcome. After a few early three-pointers from both teams, Yekaterinburg took complete control. Bentley kept hitting from distance, while Lisec added two triples to push the lead to 30 points. The hosts’ defense pressured Orenburg into rushed decisions and turnovers. By the end of the period, the scoreboard read 74–41, effectively killing any suspense.

The final quarter was largely a formality, with the teams trading points (17–14), though it had no impact on the overall outcome. The visitors looked mentally deflated and lacked the energy to mount a comeback. The reigning champions calmly closed out the game for a decisive 91–55 victory. Alex Bentley was the standout performer, finishing with 22 points. The teams will meet again in Yekaterinburg on Sunday, April 5, where UMMC will aim to extend their series lead.

UMMC: Bentley (22 points), Kosu (14), Walker (11)

Nadezhda: Komarova (14), Beverly (11)