By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Billy Baron stepped up to lead Zenit St Petersburg to a 79-75 victory against visiting FC Bayern Munich in Round 14 of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and snap back from a two-game slip.
Baron finished the game with 20 points (4/5 from the three-point line), two rebounds and powered Zenit’s comeback in the second half, stepping up in crucial moments during the fourth quarter to keep the momentum on the hosts’ side.
Will Thomas also had a notable contribution to this victory, posting 12 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists, as the Russian side now moves up to an 8-4 record. Arturas Gudaitis added up to the list of top scorers with 12 points and 6 rebounds.
“One of our biggest problems in the last games was that we had not enough energy. Today, we recovered this part of the game but it is obvious that we started the game very nervous because we played at home. We are going to feel a responsibility that maybe right now is too much for our team, so we have to enjoy the game a little bit more, play with more passion and not so much pressure that the players are feeling right now”, said Zenit coach Xavi Pascual after the game.
Bayern was in control for 30 minutes, though Zenit’s fierce comeback would eventually put an end to their two-game winning streak. Jalen Reynolds led all scorers for Andrea Trinchieri’s squad with 13 points, DJ Seeley and Wade Baldwin posted 12 points each and Paul Zipser had 10 points.
The German side will look to bounce back against Baskonia on Friday while Zenit faces fellow VTB competitor CSKA Moscow on the road with hopes to turn this victory into a streak.
Photo: EuroLeague