By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Tyler Cavanaugh posted the last six points of Zalgiris Kaunas, including the game-winning three-pointer securing the win, 81-78, versus Labas Gas at Prienai on Sunday.
Cavanaugh, 27, ended up with a team-high 14 points. The game-winning shot with five seconds remaining marked his first triple after three missed shots through the Betsafe-LKL Regular Season affair.
That’s a game winner! ? pic.twitter.com/S82WnzABFR
— BC Zalgiris Kaunas (@bczalgiris) December 12, 2021
Josh Nebo posted a 13-point, 13-rebound double-double for the winning side coached by Jure Zdovc. Karolis Lukosiunas had 12 points and Edgaras Ulanovas followed with ten points.
Niels Giffey returned to action nearly one month after testing positive for coronavirus. He lasted 17 minutes with seven points and three rebounds to his name.
Paulius Jankunas, Mantas Rubstavicius, Janis Strelnieks, and Joffrey Lauvergne were sidelined, while Arturas Milaknis and Zoran Dragic suited up but did not play.
The rookie coming out of Notre Dame, Juwan Durham banked in a game-high 23 points and pulled down 11 rebounds but was not enough for the hosts coming back from a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter to get in the led, 78-76, before Cavanaugh took over.
The win shifted Zalgiris to 11-1, half a game ahead of rival Rytas Vilnius in the LKL standings.
From first domestically to last in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague table, Zalgiris is scheduled to host AS Monaco Wednesday and visit UNICS Kazan Friday. The 3-11 record paints the overall image heading into the next two-game week of Europe’s premier club continental competition.
Sunday results:
Neptunas Klaipeda – Nevezis-Optibet Kedainiai 94-87
Labas Gas Prienai – Zalgiris Kaunas 78-81
Alytaus Dzukija – CBet Jonava 86-62
Photo Credit: BC Zalgiris Kaunas Twitter