Zalgiris Kaunas (12-2) won another game in the Betsafe-LKL Championship. Andrea Trinchieri’s team defeated 7bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys (7-7) by 89-85 (24-24, 19-22, 25-15, 21-24) on the road.

Lonnie Walker IV contributed to Zalgiris’ first three successful possessions with a three-pointer, a pass to Bryant Dunston and a two-pointer with a foul, 8-9. Brady Manek made a three-pointer, Dovydas Giedraitis hit a floater, and Walker IV made another 3-pointer, 16-17. Laurynas Birutis made a layup, Sylvain Francisco finished a “2+1” and Edgaras Ulanovas tied the score with a three-pointer, 24-24.

Dunston scored the only point for Zalgiris in the first 3 minutes of the second period, 25-33. Walker IV scored again from long range, Ulanovas added a free throw, and Arnas Butkevicius made a cut for a layup, 31-33. Lukas Lekavicius scored a three-pointer, and Giedraitis made free throws, 36-40. Birutis scored 4 points, Giedraitis closed the first half with a three-pointer, 43-46.

Giedraitis opened the third quarter in the same way, Francisco scored from a few meters, Dunston drove to the basket, Francisco converted a three-point shot, 51-50. Francisco made a three-pointer, Ulanovas added a two-pointer with a foul, Giedraitis made a mid-range jumper and Birutis scored 4 points to make it 62-54. Francisco finished the quarter with 2 three-pointers, 68-61.

Walker’s 4th three-pointer gave Zalgiris a double-digit lead (71-61), but the host then scored 11 unanswered points, 71-72. Then Giedraitis scored from long range and Francisco hit two quick threes to make it 80-77. Francisco hit one free throw, assisted Walker’s IV three-pointer (84-79), Dunston scored from under the basket, and the game was capped by 3 free throws by Ulanovas, 89-85.

Francisco had a full stat-line of 21 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals. Walker IV added 18 points, while Giedraitis finished with 15 points.