Zalgiris Kaunas has won its first victory in the Gloria Cup tournament in Turkey. Andrea Trinchieri’s team defeated ALBA Berlin 80-60 (25-14, 17-22, 14-9, 24-15).
Brady Manek started the game with two three-pointers, Laurynas Birutis had a steal and a dunk, while Sylvain Francisco and Edgaras Ulanovas hit a three-pointer each to make it 14-8. Deividas Sirvydis scored five points and Dovydas Giedraitis scored six points in the rest of the quarter to extend the lead to double digits, 25-14.
Matt Mitchell made three free throws, Ignas Brazdeikis had a successful raid under the basket, but suddenly Zalgiris had to chase the opponents, 30-32. Then Ulanovas scored 8 points, while Brazdeikis and Manek added two more each, 42-36.
After the break, Alen Smailagic had a good stretch on offense with 6 points, Sirvydis also hit a good shot from long range, Arnas Butkevicius scored points from under the basket, and Brazdeikis made his first three-pointer as well, 56-45.
Manek reminded about himself again with a three-pointer, Ulanovas completed the attack with a shot from under the basket, Brazdeikis and Butkevicius scored two points each, and after a three-pointer by Sirvydis the advantage became overwhelming, 70-49. Giedraitis hit a three-pointer, Smailagic added a free throw, and Lukas Lekavicius and Aleksas Bieliauskas, who made his debut, scored their first points with long-range shots, 80-60.
Ulanovas and Sirvydis were the best scorers with 13 points, while Brazdeikis and Manek added 11 points each.
