Zalgiris Kaunas splits the games in Stepas Butautas Cup 0

Zalgiris Kaunas played two games in the Stepas Butautas Cup during the weekend. On Friday Lithuanian champions had no difficulties with Tarvas Rakvere from Estonia winning the semifinal match 92-66. While on Saturday green&whites had to accept the loss from VEF Riga 70-72 in the final after the interesting battle.

The first game in legendary Kaunas Sporto Hale marked the comeback of big men Paulius Jankunas and Tadas Klimavicius, who were injured and spent the most part of the last season on the sidelines.

Zalgiris gained the lead in the first half being in the front 43-31 after 20 minutes of play. Tarvas could not hold up in the second half as well and Kaunas team cruised to an easy 92-66 victory.

Jankunas and Klimavicius were the go-to guys with 17 and 15 points respectively. Young point guard Lukas Lekavicius was also an important figure with 11 points and 3 three-pointers made.

The match-up between Zalgiris Kaunas and VEF Riga was the copy of the last year final of Butautas Cup. Lithuanian champions began with 9-0 run, but Dee Brown from VEF went on fire and after scoring 20 points in the first half got his team in the front 35-34.

Zalgiris went 12 points down (47-59) in the last minute of the third quarter, but two long distance shots from Tomas Dimsa and key baskets from captain Jankunas helped to cut the deficit to minimum 64-65. However, more experienced VEF players managed to hold to the final victory.

Jankunas was once leading scorer for Zalgiris with 18 points. Arturas Milaknis added 11, while Klimavicius scored 10 points and grabbed 8 rebounds.

Dee Brown was unstoppable for the visitors with 35 points on 10 from 14 field goals and all 10 free-throws made.