Published: 9 May, 2009, 12:12
Edited: 9 May, 2009, 12:12
CSKA Moscow put their disappointing Euroleague loss to Panathaikos behind them, as they easily beat UNICS Kazan to take a 1-0 lead in their best of five Russian Superliga play-off series.
The Kazan side had beaten CSKA in the Russian Cup earlier in the season, but it was the Army Men who started better, racing into a healthy first quarter lead.
It was a similar story in the second, with the home side proving particularly effective in the paint as the visitors struggled to stay close, and Ettore Messina's men would go into the half-time break with a comfortable 20 point lead.
UNICS started to rally in the third period, and managed to cut the deficit to 10 points, with Sergey Demeshkin proving particually effective, giving his side some hope of getting back into the match.
However, Matjaz Smodis and Romanas Shishkauskis turned it on down the stretch, netting a number of triples to secure an easy 71-55 victory.
CSKA will have the chance to go two up in the best of five series when they take on UNICS in game two on Saturday.
Spartak Saint Petersburg and Khimki Moscow Region play in another semifinal with the series tide at 1-all.