Zalgiris defeats Lietuvos Rytas one more time 21
Zalgiris Kaunas defeated their biggest rival third time this season. Lithuanian champions beat Lietuvos Rytas on Sunday in Vilnius. It was the 20th win of the LKL regular season for Zalgiris. Final score – 79:72 (17:12, 19:23, 20:19, 23:18).
The defending champs started off great. Their defense was on point and behind solid offensive performances by Edgaras Ulanovas and Kevin Pangos Zalgiris was able to gain a solid lead in the first quarter (17:5). However, Lietuvos Rytas managed to cut the deficit by the end of the period – 17:12.
Zalgiris‘ offensive slump continued in the beginning of the second quarter – suddenly their lead was just two points. But Arturas Milaknis would not let Rytas regain the lead. His 2 three pointers gave back Zalgiris a double-digit advantage (26:15). But Rytas would not back down. Vilnius team managed to get back in the game just before the halftime – Zalgiris led 36:35 after two periods.
The third quarter was very intense. Both teams fought hard, but neither could take a big lead. Renaldas Seibutis and Brock Motum were the offensive leaders for Zalgiris in this period. Because of them the guests had a two-point lead before the decider (56:54).
Motum started fourth quarter with two more quality shots from outside, Pangos added a three of his own and Zalgiris pulled away 67:59. Kaunas team closed the game without much struggle with captain Paulius Jankunas scoring some key baskets. The defending champions won the game 79:72.
Motum and Pangos were the leading scorers for Zalgiris with 13 points. Seibutis and Jankunas each added 12.
David Logan scored 18 for Lietuvos Rytas. Arturas Jomantas got 12.
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