Evans lifts Zalgiris to a thriller win in Valencia 14

Zalgiris Kaunas edged Valencia Basket 84-79 at La Fonteta in EuroLeague Round 20 on Tuesday. Zalgiris improved to 7-13 in the standings while Valencia dropped to 10-10.

Keenan Evans paced the winners with 24 points on 6-of-9 three-pointers. Edgaras Ulanovas added 14 points, Rolands Smits had 12 and Laurynas Birutis 11 for Zalgiris.

Brandon Davies led Valencia with 18 points. Chris Jones added 13 for the hosts.

Ulanovas and Dovydas Giedraitis stepped up early and Evans’ three-pointer gave Zalgiris a 19-10 lead. Stefan Jovic and Davies brought Valencia within 27-21 after 10 minutes. The guests found new go-to guys in Smits and Birutis, who pushed Zalgiris to a 39-30 margin. Jaime Pradilla and Damien Inglis tried to change things for Valencia but Ulanovas and Giedraitis kept Zalgiris way ahead, 48-42, at halftime.

Valencia improved its defense after the break and found a go-to guy in Davies, who brought his team within 51-50. Jones’ layup soon gave Valencia its first lead, 54-55. Davis and Jovic kept the hosts in charge, 62-64, after 30 minutes.

Evans’ fourth three-pointer gave Zalgiris a 67-66 lead with over 6 minutes left. Evans struck twice more from downtown for a 80-76 score. Davies and Jones got Valencia within 80-79 but Manek hit a floater, Semi Ojeleye missed from beyond the arc and Ulanovas sealed the outcome from the foul line with 1.8 seconds remaining.