Zalgiris Kaunas (8-1) started the second round of the Lithuanian Basketball League with a victory. Tomas Masiulis’s team defeated Lietkabelis Panevezys (6-4) by 81-77 (20-18, 15-19, 27-22, 19-18) on the road.
Azuolas Tubelis started the game with a dunk, Moses Wright combined 3 points, and Sylvain Francisco added a free throw, 6-1. Ignas Brazdeikis and Deividas Sirvydis made free throws, and Wright scored on a fast break after a pass from Nigel Williams-Goss, 12-8. Dustin Sleva hit a three-pointer from the corner, Wright scored two more points, and Maodo Lo also connected on a three-pointer, 20-18.
Edgaras Ulanovas was accurate from long range, Brazdeikis and Tubelis added shots from closer range, 27-24. Brazdeikis and Tubelis scored again, but the hosts pulled ahead, 31-35. Mantas Rubstavicius made free throws, Wright tallied his ninth point, 35-37.
At the start of the third quarter, Brazdeikis broke through under the basket, Francisco hit two three-pointers and assisted Brazdeikis for a long shot, 46-43. Wright and Tubelis scored from under the basket, and after Francisco and Brazdeikis’ three-pointers, the difference grew to 57-48. Sirvydis’ three-pointer and Lo’s breakthrough closed the third quarter, 62-59.
Lo made a three-pointer, Sleva scored from mid-range, and Ulanovas made free throws, 69-59. Brazdeikis once again scored from the three-point zone, Wright added one free throw, 73-61. Tubelis missed one free throw and Wright missed two, 76-69. The visitors’ last attempts to keep intrigue were thwarted by Francisco’s layup and accurate free throws by Lo and Ulanovas, 81-77.
Brazdeikis was the leading scorer with 17 points. Wright added 14 points and 6 rebounds, while Francisco had 12 points and 7 assists.
