Zalgiris Kaunas wins Lithuanian League!!! 0

Zalgiris Kaunas is the Lithuanian League champion! Zalgiris conquered its 20th Lithuanian League crown by downing Lietuvos Rytas Vilnius 77-85 on the road on Saturday. Zalgiris swept the best-of-seven title series to conquer yet another Lithuanian League title in the club’s 70th anniversary.

Arturas Milaknis led the winners with 17 points. Will Cherry added 16, James Anderson had 11 while Paulius Jankunas got 10 and 11 rebounds for Zalgiris. Gediminas Orelik led Rytas with 20 points.

Mike Moser and Adas Jusikevicius led Rytas in the early going but an outstanding Anderson and a big basket by Darius Songaila gave Zalgiris its first lead, 13-11. A three-pointer by Orelik put Rytas back ahead, 14-13, after 10 minutes.

Billy Baron struck from downtown and a red hot Orelik added two more to make Rytas get a 30-25 edge. Cherry singlehandedly made Zalgiris regain the lead, 33-32, and a tip-in by Robertas Javtokas fixed the halftime score at 35-35.

Cherry struck twice from downtown right after the break for a 43-40 Zalgiris edge. A driving layup by Lukas Lekavicius soon made it a seven-point game, 51-44.

A great team effort allowed Zalgiris to break the game open, 63-50, at the end of the third quarter. Zalgiris improved its lead to 72-56 but Rytas rallied within 77-71 with 4 minutes left. Free throws by Jankunas and Cherry sealed the outcome down the stretch.