A fierce battle ends with the loss for Zalgiris in Belgrade 23
Despite leading for the bigger part of the game Zalgiris Kaunas was defeated 73-77 by Crvena Zvezda at Aleksandar Nikolic Hall.
Keenan Evans had 18 for Zalgiris, which dropped to 6-7 in the standings. Edgaras Ulanovas and Kevarrius Hayes each added 14 for the visitors.
Zvezda improved to 7-6 in the standings. The team is 6-0 since head coach Dusko Ivanovic joined the team.
Luca Vildoza led the winners with 27 points, including 9 in the final 4 minutes to lead his team to victory. Nemanja Nedovic added 21 for Zvezda.
Evans took over early with a couple of three-pointers and a tip-in. Ulanovas joined in to give Zalgiris an early double-digit lead, 15-5. Nedovic and Ben Bentil brought Zvezda closer, 22-14, after 10 minutes.
Nedovic kept pushing the hosts, then Vildoza and Stefan Lazarevic gave Zvezda a 34-33 lead. Hayes helped Zalgiris claim a 37-36 edge at halftime.
Rolands Smits stepped up after the break, giving the visitors fresh air at 54-45. Nedovic rescued Zvezda and Bentil gave his team hope, 56-58, after 30 minutes.
Vildoza took over with a buzzer-beating jumper, a layup off an inbounds steal and a three-pointer in less than a minute for a 74-71 Zvezda lead. Zalgiris got within 75-73 already in the final minute but Evans turned the ball over and Vildoza sealed the outcome from the foul line.
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