Heating up: Zalgiris edge out Fenerbahce to finish double week with second win in a row / News - Basketnews.com

After starting the season with 9 losses in a row, Zalgiris Kaunas (2-9) managed to finish the double week of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague with two victories.

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Zalgiris 86-75 (16-18, 22-11, 26-30, 22-16) beat the visiting Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (3-8), which suffered the third loss in a row.

Fenerbahce climbed out of a 15-point deficit, but Zalgiris made a decisive run in the fourth quarter.

Both Edgaras Ulanovas and Mantas Kalnietis made a 3-pointer, Tyler Cavanaugh added a mid-range jumper and after an 8-0 stretch, the hosts restored a double-digit lead (72-62).

The Lithuanian powerhouse maintained a safe lead until the end of the game and secured a well-deserved victory.

Ulanovas was the leader of the Lithuanian champions as he accumulated 18 points (3/5 2PT, 3/4 3PT, 3/3 FT), 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 1 turnover, and 21 PIR.

Kalnietis contributed with his first-ever career double-double in the EuroLeague. The 35-year-old finished the game with 11 points (1/2 2PT, 3/6 3PT), career-high 11 assists, 1 rebound, 1 block, 3 turnovers, and 15 PIR.

"Practises [made us better]. I want to congratulate our coach because he inspired us a lot in the last two weeks," Kalnietis said post-game. "We practiced much better and finally, we understand each other, especially defensively, and those connections you can see on the court. I'm surprised [it's my first EuroLeague double-double]! It means that I start to play better now!"

After a close first quarter, Zalgiris had a successful stretch in the second period.

Marek Blazevic converted both free throws, Zoran Dragic added a jumper, Janis Strelnieks made his shot, and after an 8-0 run the hosts built an 11-point lead (38-27).

Player of the Game EFF 21 Edgaras Ulanovas Points 18 Accuracy 6-9 Rebounds 5 Assists 2

Despite that, Fenerbahce came back after halftime. Nando De Colo hit the free throws, Jan Vesely added a bucket from inside the point, Achille Polonara sank a 3-pointer, and the visitors went on a 9-0 to cut the deficit to 6 points (42-48).

De Colo was one of the few positives for Fenerbahce. French point guard accumulated 17 points (2/3 2PT, 3/7 3PT, 4/4 FT), 5 assists, 4 rebounds, 1 steal, 6 drawn fouls, 1 turnover, and 26 PIR.

"We had a bad third quarter, they scored 30 points, and I said to the players before the last quarter we have just 12 points until we have allowed 70," Zalgiris coach Jure Zdovc said after the game. "And they worked hard. In the end, we relaxed after we won the game, but the goal was achieved. Congratulations to the players, they really played great."

Zalgiris: Edgaras Ulanovas 18 (3/5 2PT, 3/4 3PT, 21 PIR), Zoran Dragic 13 (4/5 2PT, 1/4 3PT), Tai Webster 11, Mantas Kalnietis 11 (3/6 3PT, 11 AST), Tyler Cavanaugh 10.

Fenerbahce: Nano de Colo 17 (3/7 3PT, 26 PIR), Jan Vesely 13 (6/10 2PT), Pierria Henry 13 (3/6 3PT).

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