By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
After trailing by ten points in the first half, Zalgiris temporarily recovered a long-range threat to storm back and earn a double-digit lead in the third quarter en route to beating rival Rytas, 79-75, in Zalgirio Arena.
The team coached by Tomas Masiulis was held to 8/37 from beyond the arc on Sunday, but grabbing 49 rebounds versus 37 of the Vilnius outfit narrowly offset the shooting woes. The majority of 13,538 fans in attendance dealt with a seemingly safe lead being reduced to three points in the final seconds, but their favorites held on to secure a fifth consecutive win across all competitions and break a tie at the top of the 2025-26 Regular Season standings in Lithuania’s Betsson LKL.
Four players delivered in double-digits for a 6-1 domestic tally, including Sylvain Francisco, who recorded a team-high 15 points, after putting in ten in the first half. Taking over after the break, Azuolas Tubelis and Ignas Brazdeikis finished with 12 points apiece.
On a three-game streak between the LKL and the Basketball Champions League, the team coached by Giedrius Zibenas went in the opposite direction and fell to 5-2. Jerrick Harding netted a game-high 20 points behind 6/9 field goals. Ignas Sargiunas and Jordan Walker followed with 15 points each.
Only two players are dealing with injuries across both sides, with Dovydas Giedraitis (wrist surgery rehab) and Nigel Williams-Goss (hamstring) remaining sidelined for Zalgiris.
STANDINGS: Zalgiris 6-1, Rytas 5-2, Neptunas 4-3, Lietkabelis 4-3, Siauliai 4-4…