Francisco's masterclass undone as Fenerbahce wins in Kaunas
Sylvain Francisco delivered a masterclass with 23 points and 11 assists, yet it wasn't enough as Fenerbahce edged out Zalgiris 94-90 at the Zalgirio Arena. Fenerbahce established a slim five-point lead by halftime (42-47), only for Zalgiris to surge ahead entering the fourth quarter, holding a 62-61 advantage. The third quarter saw a significant momentum swing, with Fenerbahce outscoring Zalgiris 20-14 to narrow the gap. The game was tied at 80-80 late on, but Fenerbahce ultimately prevailed. Despite Francisco's playmaking, which anchored Zalgiris with an EVAL of 27, and Azuolas Tubelis contributing 16 points, the home side struggled against Fenerbahce's superior shooting efficiency (53% FG to Zalgiris's 36%). Khem Birch was dominant for Fenerbahce, recording a double-double with 21 points and 13 rebounds, complemented by Talen Horton-Tucker's 21 points. This victory provides Fenerbahce with a crucial boost in the regular season standings.