Tubelis Masterclass Lifts Zalgiris in Thriller
Azuolas Tubelis delivered a commanding 26-point, 6-rebound performance to propel Zalgiris Kaunas to a gritty 81-78 victory over Fenerbahce Istanbul. The contest, played in front of a raucous Zalgirio Arena crowd, saw Zalgiris overcome a seven-point halftime deficit (35-42) and a five-point gap entering the final period (57-62). Despite a challenging start that saw them trail by 13 points in the first quarter (12-25), the home side found their footing. Nigel Williams-Goss chipped in with 18 points and 5 assists, whilst Moses Wright added 11 points and 6 rebounds, showcasing Zalgiris's resilience, even as their bench contributed just 11 points compared to Fenerbahce's 31. Zalgiris ultimately prevailed through superior free-throw shooting (78% to 70%) and a decisive 36-31 rebounding advantage to seal the win in the closing stages. This victory is a significant boost for Zalgiris as the regular season nears its conclusion.