By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
In a late thriller in Kaunas, two free throws from Ian Vougioukas helped Zalgiris Kaunas prevail over Brose Baskets at home (75-73). This was the second win for the hosts (2-7), whereas the visitors suffered a painful defeat and now have fewer chances to qualify to the play-offs (4-5).
For the winners, Vougioukas had 13 points and nine rebounds, with Paulius Jankunas making an impressive double-double (17 points, 13 rebounds). On the other hand, Nikos Zisis scored a career-high 25 points for the losing squad (his previous one was 22 points in AEK Athens’ match against Anadolu Efes in 2005), as Brad Wanamaker had 14 points.
After a slow start to the game for both teams (11-11), Zalgiris enhanced its performance and took the advantage (17-11, 25-17), closing the first quarter in front by six (25-19).
Later, the visitors managed to remain competitive (30-26, 37-34) and were down by just three points, after 20 minutes in the game (41-38).
In the second half, things didn’t change much. The hosts were retaining their advantage (45-40, 51-48), however the Germans managed to tie the game twice (53-53, 55-55), before Zalgiris going on a 4-0 run to take a four-point lead, at the end of the first quarter (59-55).
In the fourth quarter, Zalgiris immediately extended its lead to nine points (66-57), however Brose Baskets responded, went on a 7-16 run and tied the game (73-73), with 100 seconds to go.
In the remaining minutes, both teams missed crucial field goals, but two free throws from Vougioukas sealed the deal for the Lithuanians, as both Zisis and Janis Strelnieks missed their shots at the buzzer.