Zalgiris Kaunas (15-1) finished the second round of the Lithuanian Basketball League with a victory. Tomas Masiulis’s team defeated Jonava Hipocredit (2-14) 104-91 (35-21, 21-24, 31-23, 17-23) at the Garliava Sports Center.
In just over 3 minutes of the first quarter, Laurynas Birutis collected 8 points, while Dustin Sleva and Mantas Rubstavicius each scored two points, 12-4. Deividas Sirvydis lobbed the ball to Rubstavicius in a fast break and made a three-pointer himself, while Sleva scored three long-range shots, 26-6. Birutis dunked for a third time, and Rubstavicius hit a three-pointer after a pass from Dovydas Giedraitis, 31-10. Ignas Stombergas entered the court and finished the first quarter with 4 points, 35-21.
Birutis made a layup, Edgaras Ulanovas scored 6 points in a row, 43-30. Giedraitis and Azuolas Tubelis opened their scoring accounts, Rubstavicius collected 3 points, and Brazdeikis broke through under the basket, 52-32. Tubelis added another 4 points, but before the big break, Zalgiris’ lead had shrunk slightly, 56-45.
Sleva scored 10 points in the first 5 minutes of the third quarter, Sirvydis added a free throw, and Birutis scored a two-pointer, 69-58. Giedraitis fed Birutis and Tubelis and connected from distance himself, 80-64. Brazdeikis scored from under the basket, Arnas Butkevicius made his free throws, and Sleva tallied his 24th point with a three-pointer, 87-68.
Nigel Williams-Goss reached double digits in assists, assisting Birutis and Butkevicius, 91-72. Giedraitis and Ulanovas added 2 points each, Tubelis scored 4, and Sirvydis scored the 100th point for Zalgiris, 101-89. The game ended with a three-pointer by Kajus Mikalauskas, 104-91.
Sleva had a perfect shooting night for 24 points. Birutis and Tubelis added 18 and 14 points respectively.
