By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
TD Systems Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz bounced back to defeat visiting Zalgiris Kaunas 81-68 in Round 23 of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague. The Spanish side recovered from a four-game losing streak to take revenge from their visitors for their Round 14 defeat in Kaunas (92-73).
After a tight contest in the first period that ended with a one-point advantage for Baskonia (21-20), the home team managed to regroup and expand its lead, while Zalgiris couldn’t bounce back to defend its winning streak.
Pierria Henry paced the hosts to victory with a 19-point performance, Alec Peters dropped 15 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists and Luca Vildoza had 14 points, as Dusko Ivanovic’s squad moves up with a 10-13 record in the standings. Tonye Jekiri added up to the list of top scorers with 10 points and 7 boards.
“We still have to play a lot of games, and until the last moment, we will fight to have chances to be among the best eight teams. I hope and believe that, if we play like this, our players will believe that, too. Henry is trying to give his best in every game but with this rhythm of games and with the amount of minutes he is on the court, it is difficult. The opponents’ defense is also trying to stop him, but he played at a high level tonight”, said Ivanovic after the game.
Marius Grigonis posted a team-high with 17 points for Zalgiris, which ends the double-game week with a 13-10 record as well after a two-game winning streak. Thomas Walkup added 14 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals and Joffrey Lauvegne left the court with 12 points, 9 rebounds.
Photo: EuroLeague