Spartak defeated Kalev  in Tallinn, 88-76, in Week 17 of the regular season of the VTB United League championships. The visitors took control in the second quarter and held a 21-point lead at halftime. Despite a sloppy fourth quarter, during which Kalev got back within four points, Spartak held on for the victory and used the chance to be in play off.

Intro
Spartak had a lot on the line in the visit to Estonia. After Donetsk’s forced withdrawal from the league, the team’s chances of reaching the postseason improved dramatically. But the Russian club still needed to take care of business against Group A outsiders Kalev and Nymburk. Kalev, meanwhile, hoped to avoid last place in the group and wanted to give the fans something to cheer about in its last home game of the season.

The fans helped energize the team early on. Trailing 8-6 after three minutes played, Kristjan Kitsing rained in three 3-pointers to put Kalev firmly in the lead. Including Devin Gibson’s lay-in, the home team’s 11-0 run took just 1:18 and forced the Russian visitors to call a timeout.

Coming out of the break, Spartak looked to team leader Jared Homan. He didn’t disappoint, breaking down his defenders to score eight points in the final minutes of the first quarter and help Spartak regain the lead, 21-19.

The visitors kept up the pace, scoring on nearly every possession in the second quarter. Donald McGrath and Josh Bostic provided backup for Homan and the effective trio gave Spartak a healthy lead by halftime, 48-27. The visitors’ defense also deserves credit. In the second quarter, the Red and White allowed just eight points and two field goals!

Kalev did everything it could to get the ball in the basket in the second half. With its outside shooting struggling, the Estonians started to pound the ball in the paint and draw fouls. The visitors gave up 20 points in the period, but still retained a 20-point advantage entering the fourth, 67-47.

Turning Point
Generally when a team trails by 20 points late in the game, you can assume there’s not much more to play for. But that wasn’t the case tonight. Spartak relaxed a little too soon and allowed the home team to come storming back. Veideman and Milladge got hot to lead the Kalev charge, pulling within four points with 4:53 to play. The fans came alive and tried to will their team into the lead, but the Estonians simply ran out of steam. Spartak holds on for the 88-76 victory and increases its chances of making the postseason.

Star of the Game
Jared Homan. The American center was nearly unstoppable in Tallinn, especially in the paint. He picked up his 6^th double-double of the season, scoring 26 points (57% from the field) and 13 rebounds.

Stat of the Game
35% - Kalev’s poor shooting percentage hurt the team’s chances of securing the win.

Top Performers
Kalev: Kristjan Kitsing – 18 points; Rain Veideman – 15 points; Curtis Milladge – 14 points; Frank Elegar – four points, nine rebounds.

Spartak: Jared Homan – 26 points, 13 rebounds; Josh Bostic – 17 points, five rebounds; Donald McGrath – 13 points, seven assists; Yaroslav Korolev – 12 points.