Westermann’s big game leads Zalgiris over Baskonia 10

Leo Westermann scored a career-high 20 points to carry Zalgiris Kaunas over Baskonia Vitoria Gasteiz 78:73 on Friday at Zalgirio arena. Zalgiris improved to 1-1 on the season, while Baskonia slipped to the same mark.

Westermann made 7 of 9 two-point shots and dished 4 assists in an impressive effort. Brock Motum added 12 points and Arturas Milaknis 9 for the winners.

Adam Hanga paced Baskonia with 18 points, Andrea Bargnani scored 17 points and blocked 3 shots before fouling out and Shane Larkin totaled 11 points and 6 assists.

Zalgiris dominated the glass in outrebounding the visitors 44:32, including 18 offensive rebounds. Zalgiris faces Fenerbahce Istanbul in its next EuroLeague game, while Baskonia takes on fellow Spanish side Real Madrid.

After the visitors scored the game’s first 6 points, Kevin Pangos and Westermann drained triples to put Zalgiris up 8:6. Bargnani was a force for Baskonia as the two teams traded shots throughout the quarter, which ended at 20:23 after Hanga’s steal and slam.

Jaka Blazic staked Baskonia to a 24:31 advantage, however Zalgiris pounded the offensive glass in closing the gap to 2. Bargnani’s jumper made it 34:40 at the break.

Baskonia got more great shooting from Bargnani and Hanga to start the second half, but a pair of Antanas Kavaliauskas buckets inside kept the hosts close. Milaknis and Westermann further closed the gap before Motum put Zalgiris ahead 53:52. Nothing separated the teams at the end of the third quarter, 61:61.

A Westermann layup with five minutes to go gave Zalgiris its first two-possession lead, 72:68. Baskonia struggled to recover and was hampered by 4 missed free throws down the stretch, while Westermann and Motum made key baskets to seal the 78:73 victory.