By Nikola Miloradovic / info@eurohoops.net
Jonas Valančiūnas grabbed 20 rebounds in 25 minutes and 10 seconds to set a Žalgiris single-game EuroLeague record in Thursday’s 86–83 win over Olimpia Milan. He surpassed Tanoka Beard, who pulled down 19 rebounds in the 2004–05 season.
Valančiūnas collected 16 defensive rebounds and four on the offensive glass as Žalgiris outrebounded Milan 46–28. He scored 17 points on 5-for-9 shooting from the field and 7-for-10 from the free-throw line, adding two assists, two steals and a block for a performance index rating of 36.
“The stats are always nice to hear, but the win is the most important thing,” Valančiūnas said. “We had some difficulties, but we stuck together and won the game. That was the biggest thing we wanted to accomplish.”
Žalgiris took an 11-point lead into the fourth quarter and held on after Milan scored 31 points in the final period. Asked about the team’s unselfishness, Valančiūnas pointed to the way his teammates help each other on defense.
“It’s very important. That’s how we build. No matter who gets going, who’s scoring or making plays, we stick together and try to help each other, especially on defense. It’s fun to play that way.”
The EuroLeague record remains 24 rebounds, set by Antonis Fotsis for Dynamo Moscow in an overtime win over Benetton Treviso on March 21, 2007.
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