Pooh Jeter and Artur Drozdov left Azovmash Mariupol no chances in game 1 of the Finals, combining for 54 points as Kyiv defeated the defending champions 91:72 to take a 1:0 series lead.

The title contenders started the game with an 8:2 run. Their help-side defense limited Robert Archibald’s touches, presenting a big problem for the visitors. Kyiv extended the lead to 22:11 with 90 seconds left in the 1st quarter, however, Mariupol’s Panagiotis Liadellis refused to let his team fall, scoring 5 points in the remainder of the frame to cut Kyiv’s lead to 22:16.

Kyiv controlled the flow of the game in the 2nd, extending their advantage to 14 points at the half.

Azovmash managed to claw their way back into the contest, reducing the hosts’ lead to just 6 with 2 to go in the 3rd, but Pooh Jeter’s deuce and triple put his team up by 9 at the end of the frame.

Kyiv opened the final quarter up with 3 back-to-back shots from downtown, outscoring their opponents 9:1. Holding on to the lead from that point on was a matter of class, but Kyiv would not be satisfied with what they had. A strong push at the end of the game allowed them to turn the contest into a blowout, winning it by 19.

Pooh Jeter had a game-high 28 points, while Artur Drozdov added 26 and 7 rebounds in the win.

Mariupol’s Panagiotis Liadellis finished the contest with 17.