By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Opening the two-game series and building a considerable amount of distance, Zalgiris rolled BC Wolves, 95-79, Monday.
Chipping in the most of the 16-point advantage for the second half of the Citadel KMT Quarterfinals series, Edgaras Ulanovas scored 19 points behind 6/10 field goals, including three makes from beyond the arc. The team captain added four assists, three rebounds, and one steal.
After being sidelined since early December, Lukas Lekavicius returned to action with six points in eight minutes. However, Tyler Cavanaugh, Mantas Kalnietis, and Dovydas Giedraitis were not available.
The main attraction, especially for the home side, was Jeffery Taylor competing for the first time in the 2022-23 season. The recent signing for the team based in Vilnius, he poured in a game-high 21 points in the losing effort. A Turkish Airlines EuroLeague champion with Real Madrid in 2018, he spent most of his professional career at Los Blancos, becoming a regular at Madrid between 2015 and 2022.
The remaining quarterfinal matchups include Nevezis-Optibet downing Rytas, 78-70, on the road in the first half of the home-and-away series. Later this week, Uniclub Casino-Juventus plays host to 7Bet-Lietkabelis, and Neptunas battles CBet. The fixtures at opposite venues follow on 21 and 22 January.
Directly next for the team coached by Kazys Maksvytis is Round 17 of the EuroLeague Regular Season. The 8-8 record, tied for eighth in the standings, will unbalance following the game against Fenerbahce Beko to be held in Zalgirio Arena Thursday.
Photo Credit: BC Zalgiris Kaunas Twitter