Inspired Zalgiris rallies past Virtus on the road 41
Zalgiris Kaunas grabbed a huge 82-79 victory away at Virtus Bologna in its 2023-24 EuroLeague season opener. The hosts surrendered a 15-point lead twice in the game against an inspired Zalgiris, whose defense put Virtus in trouble in the last quarter, where the guests dominated 24-14.
A sublime Keenan Evans was the game’s leading scorer with 25 points, with Edgaras Ulanovas adding 11 and Rolands Smits scoring 10, including some crucial baskets in the closing stages.
An impressive Jordan Mickey had 18 points, going 4-for-8 on two-pointers and 3-for-3 from behind the arc. Tornike Shengelia scored 17, with Ognjen Dobric and Isaia Cordinier adding 11 each.
Zalgiris started strong and took an early 10-2 lead, but Virtus bounced back and turned the game around, heading into the second quarter with a 15-23 margin.
The hosts grabbed their first 15-point lead midway through the second quarter, but Zalgiris responded with an 8-0 run to go within 37-42 at halftime.
Virtus hit the ground running in the second half and took their second 15-point cushion in the game. Ulanovas scored 5 points, followed by Evans three-pointer, as Zalgiris cut it to 58-65 before the last 10 minutes.
Italian team led for another 6 minutes, until Zalgiris put a 10-0 run to take back the lead at 77-73. Then Evans made a big shot from downtown (80-74), and Zalgiris held on to win the game, 82-79.
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