The journey to the capital got bitter again for Kaunas Žalgiris (4-2). Playing without Andrea Trinchieri in the Lithuanian Basketball League (Betsafe-LKL), the Žalgiris team lost 82-100 (20:20, 18:23, 14:32, 30:25) to Vilnius Wolves Twinsbet (3-3).
This time, Žalgiris was coached by Tautvydas Sabonis, who stepped in for the ailing A. Trinchieri. Due to the same reason, Mantas Juzėnas replaced Matt Mitchell in the team lineup. The Vilnius team played without Jeffery Taylor, who suffered a concussion during The EuroCup match earlier this week.
In Vilnius, Žalgiris remains unable to defeat the Wolves Twinsbet team.
From the start of the match, Wolves Twinsbet didn’t allow Žalgiris to score easily, jumping to a 6:2 lead. However, the Kaunas team quickly equalized (8:8), and Edgaras Ulanovas's three free throws gave the guests an 11:8 lead. Soon after, the Wolves' legionnaires got to work, bringing the score back to a tie at 20:20 by the end of the first quarter.
The Wolves Twinsbet's good minutes provided them with a record lead in the match (32:25), although Brady Manek's two baskets improved the situation for Žalgiris, bringing the score to 30:33. However, Kristupas Žemaitis nailed two three-pointers (39:30). At halftime, the hosts led 43:38.
Even though B. Manek, Sylvain Francisco, and Bryant Dunston tried to ignite the Žalgiris team, Tre'Shawn Thurman and Marek Blaževič capitalized on their opportunities. After Matas Jogėla's three-pointer, Wolves Twinsbet extended their lead to 56:48.
The Wolves orchestrated a 17-0 run, which allowed them to feel very confident (69:48). Only Alen Smailagič managed to break this streak, but it offered little consolation, as the hosts dominated the game, leading 75:52 after three quarters.
Žalgiris attempted a comeback. Butkevičius, Smailagič, and Francisco ignited a 12-0 run, cutting the deficit significantly to 66:78. After another long-range shot from Francisco, Žalgiris got even closer (72:80), but Garrison Brooks and Andrew Andrews wouldn’t let the visitors gain any more momentum, keeping the score at 92:79. With 2 minutes left, Juzėnas entered the game, and Žalgiris conceded defeat.
Wolves Twinsbet: Andrew Andrews 21 (7 assists), Anthony Cowan 20 (5/7 three-pointers), Matas Jogėla 13 (8 rebounds, 5 assists), Tre'Shawn Thurman 11 (7 rebounds), Kristupas Žemaitis 9, Regimantas Miniotas, Marek Blaževič, and Vaidas Kariniauskas 6 each. Daniel Baslyk did not score, and Justinas Marcinkevičius did not play.
Žalgiris: Sylvainas Francisco 25, Alenas Smailagičius and Brady Manek 12 each.
(Photo by Saulius Čirba)