Fenerbahce erase a 17-point deficit to take down the youngster-led Zalgiris / News - Basketnews.com

Credit BasketNews/D.Repečka

In a battle between two shorthanded Turkish Airlines EuroLeague teams, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (9-10) edged out the visitors from Lithuania, Zalgiris Kaunas (3-15) 73-67 (7-13, 17-17, 20-21, 29-16), handing them the fifth straight loss.

Player of the Game EFF 27 Marko Guduric Points 19 Accuracy 6-11 Rebounds 4 Assists 5

Fenerbahce came within two points at the start of the fourth (49-51), but Zalgiris nailed three straight 3-pointers, regaining a substantial advantage (60-51). The hosts responded with a 12-2 run, overtaking Zalgiris by one (63-62).

Edgaras Ulanovas nailed a triple against his former team with a minute remaining to put Zalgiris back up (67-66), but Marko Guduric immediately responded with a 3-pointer of his own (69-67).

Mantas Kalnietis had a chance to give Zalgiris the lead, but his 3-pointer drew nothing but air. Devin Booker converted two free throws on the other end, sealing a six-point Fenerbahce victory.

Marko Guduric led Fenerbahce with 19 points (3/5 2PT, 3/6 3PT, 4/6 FT), 5 assists, 4 rebounds, 3 steals, 3 turnovers, and 27 PIR.

“[What changed in the second half] was just energy and wanting to win so bad," Guduric said. "This was, I have to say, one of the most important games in my career and one of the best wins. I'm so happy, so proud of this team. With all the problems we have, it's unbelievable.

"Corona cases, injuries, and 17 points down in the third quarter, we came back. I'm super proud of my team. Henry did not even practice the whole week; he just did shoot this morning. This is an amazing group of guys. I have to be a leader of this team right now. I tried to do it tonight, and it worked well.”

On the opposing side, Karolis Lukosiunas recorded his EuroLeague career-high with 15 points (0/2 2PT, 5/13 3PT). He added 3 steals, 1 assist, 1 rebound, and 10 PIR. Marek Blazevic added a double-double: 10 points (5/8 2PT), 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover, and 19 PIR.

Zalgiris Kaunas / Schedule

Fenerbahce Istanbul Zalgiris Kaunas73-67 Panathinaikos Athens Zalgiris KaunasWed19:00

It was an extremely slow first quarter, resulting in 11 combined turnovers for both teams. After Zalgiris gained the early 9-4 lead, both teams failed to score for more than four minutes. The visitors were up by six after one (13-7).

The defensive battle continued in the second, with Zalgiris taking advantage and gaining their first double-digit lead (21-10). Fenerbahce managed to reduce their deficit after Achille Polonara's first points and Dyshawn Pierre's last-second going into halftime (24-30). Fenerbahce only converted 1 of 10 threes in the first half; Zalgiris made 2 of 15.

The youngsters Karolis Lukosiunas and Marek Blazevic helped Zalgiris start the third period on a 7-0 run. Mantas Kalnietis and Lukosiunas added two more threes and the visitors gained a commanding 17-point lead (43-26). However, Fenerbahce did not roll over, orchestrating a 10-0 run of their own and cutting their deficit to seven (44-51).

Marial Shayok, Ismet Akpinar, Nando De Colo, Danilo Barthel, Jan Vesely, and head coach Sasha Djordjevic didn't participate in the contest for Fenerbahce. Zalgiris played without Tai Webster, Paulius Jankunas, Arturas Milaknis, Janis Strelnieks, and Joffrey Lauvergne.

“We played a good game," Zalgiris' coach Zdovc said post-game. "We went down defensively. I don't understand why we let them, committing amateur mistakes, so many open shots of their best players, the ones that can change the game, and also Hazer made some important three-pointers. I believe we could have won but we didn’t execute smart enough in the end.”

Fenerbahce: Marko Guduric 19 (5 AST), Sehmus Hazer 13, Achille Polonara 10 (8 REB), Tarik Biberovic 9, Ahmet Duverioglu 9, Devin Booker 6 (5 REB).

Zalgiris: Edgaras Ulanovas 16 (7 REB), Karolis Lukosiunas 15, Marek Blazevic 10 (10 REB, 4 AST), Mantas Kalnietis 9, Niels Giffey 6, Tyler Cavanaugh 2 (0/9 FG, 13 REB).

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