Jonava upset Zalgiris in Mantas Kalnietis' farewell game / News - Basketnews.com

Mantas Kalnietis would wish he had a better finale in his playing career. Zalgiris Kaunas fans set a new season attendance record, but saw their team lose after 8 straight wins and the retiring player finish with 5 points.

Credit: D.Lukšta Credit D.Lukšta

Zalgiris Kaunas (15-2) bid farewell to Mantas Kalnietis, who played his last game with the Lithuanian powerhouse, in their home game against Jonava.

Free throws this season

82%15,2Points made:15,2Accuracy:82,5%Place in standings:6Record max:28Record min:6Most made FTs:Edgaras UlanovasTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

The atmosphere in the Zalgirio Arena was celebratory, with 9,249 home fans in attendance, however, the hosts were in for a surprise, as Jonava (10-7) ended their eight-game winning streak and prevailed by 80-76 (22-12, 21-26, 13-24, 24-14).

With a minute left, Edgaras Ulanovas trimmed the deficit to just one point (72-73), but soon Glynn Watson gave the answer (73-78).

Then, Lukas Lekavicius hit a three-pointer (76-78), but Bickauskis secured the victory from the charity stripe. In the last 3 seconds, Mantas Kalnietis scored three points, and Zalgiris suffered a rare defeat on the local front.

In the last match of his career, the 36-year-old guard spent 20 minutes on the court, during which he scored 5 points (1/3 2PT shots, 1/3 3PT shots), 1 rebound, 3 assists, and 3 turnovers.

Rolands Smits scored 16 points (4/5 2PT., 2/3 3PT., 2/2 FT)in 23 minutes, and made 3 steals for a PIR of 16. Edgaras Ulanovas added 14, while Laurynas Birutis had 13 points.

For Jonava, Glynn Watson had 19 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists and 19 in PIR.

Despite the loss, Zalgiris set a new season attendance record, breaking the previous one that belonged to Lietkabelis who gathered 3,970 fans in their clash with the EuroLeague side last October.

Zalgiris' season attendance record for LKL had been 3,573 fans who watched the match vs. Lietkabelis in December.

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