Zalgiris wake up after Toupane ejection, ease past Dzukija; Siauliai defeat Nevezis
Betsafe LKL leaders Zalgiris maintained the top spot in the league standings after improving to a 25-4 record with an 82-60 road victory against Dzukija in Alytus on Sunday evening.
It was a close game in the first half, but the defending champions managed to break away in the third quarter with a 16-0 run to start the period. They opened up a 63-47 lead heading into the final frame of action.
Beno Udrih headed the well-rounded scoring for Zalgiris with a team-high 11 points and 5 assists. Kevin Pangos and Brandon Davies had 9 points apiece, while four different players finished with an 8-point total.
Axel Toupane was ejected from the game after intentionally kneeing his opponent early in the third quarter.
For Dzukija, Charles Callison was the top scorer with 14 points, with Alan Wiggins collecting 10 points in a losing effort.
In the other game of the day, Siauliai (12-17) continued their strong play of late with a convincing 90-73 triumph over Nevezis (8-21) to stay in fifth place in a highly-competitive mid-table battle with the likes of Pieno Zvaigzdes and Juventus.
Laurynas Birutis was phenomenal once again, scoring 24 points and grabbing 13 rebounds, Arminas Urbutis also had a double-double with 19 points and 13 boards, while Nick Zeisloft chipped in with 13 points after going 8-of-9 from the free-throw stripe.
The only players in double figures for Nevezis were Aleksandr Zakharov and Margiris Normantas who collected 11 points apiece.
Highlights of Siauliai v Nevezis: