Evans signed the escape of Zalgiris Kaunas from Bologna

Zalgiris Kaunas beat Virtus Bologna 82-79 in Italy to come back from a double-digit deficit, with top scorer Keenan Evans particularly crucial in sealing the Lithuanians’ exit.

Kazis Maksvitis’ team was down by 15 points (63-48), but had the mental reserves to win the game again and win.

Keenan Evans came forward and played big shots to help Zalgiris fight back. He finished the game with 25 points and 4/6 three-pointers. What’s impressive about the American guard is that this all happened on his return to action in his first EuroLeague game after suffering from a ruptured Achilles tendon for nine months.

On the second matchday of the EuroLeague, Virtus Bologna travels to Monaco (10/13, 8:00 p.m.), while Zalgiris Kaunas hosts Red Star (10/13, 8:00 p.m.).

The race

Zagiris Kaunas defeated Virtus Bologna in the first minutes of the game and took a 10-2 lead. From that point on, Luca Banki’s team picked up speed and, with Dobrich as the protagonist, quickly took the lead and began to build a lead of more than ten points (42-28). The Italians were in control of the game in the first half, but Kazis Maksvitis’ team went on a 9-0 run and ended the first half at -5 (42:37), with Brady Manek scoring two psychological three-pointers and reduced the difference.

The Lithuanians continued their counter-attack in the second half and, despite being down by 14 points (42:28), tied the game at 44:44. At this point, Jordan Mickey solved the problem for Virtus Bologna with three well-timed 3-pointers from Jordan Mickey, which reduced Zalgiris’ momentum. The 9-0 run gave Virtus another lead of almost ten points (54:46), meaning that the Lithuanians were unable to take the lead after the draw and became even more psychological.

The momentum was again in the hands of Luca Banki’s players, who regained a double-digit lead with Miki and Cordinier as protagonists. Sengelia’s three-pointer brought the Italians to +15 (63-48), with psychology at its highest level. Zalgiris came back with an 8-0 run (63:58) and everything would be decided in the last quarter.

There the game developed into a real derby, with Evans scoring three goals against Hackett’s defense and equalizing for the Lithuanians in the 37th minute (73:73). Ulanova’s shot made it 73-77, with Maksvitis’ team having an excellent fourth quarter. Keenan Evans was instrumental in helping Zalgiris Kaunas achieve a great result in their EuroLeague opener on Italian soil.

THE REFEREES: Matthias Bolthauser, Ann Panther, Sergio Silva

THE DECADES: 23-15, 42-37, 65-58, 79-82.

Virtuous Bologna (Banki): Cordinier 12 (9 assists), Lundberg, Belinelli 7, Paiola, Smith 4, Dobrich 12 (2/4 3-pointers), Kaycock 2, Sengelia 17 (2/4 3-pointers, 4 rebounds), Hackett (0/6 3-pointers), Mickey 18 (3/3 3-pointers), Polonara, Dunston.

ZALGIRIS KAUNAS (Maksvitis): Evans 25 (4/6 3-pointers), Mitrou-Long 6 (2/3 3-pointers), Lekavicius 2, Hayes 2, Gentraitis, Schmitz 10, Birutis 4, Dimsa 8, Lavrinovicius, Manek 8 ( 2/3 threes), Butkevicius 6, Ulanovas 11 (2/2 threes).

Virtus team stats: 23/39 2-pointers (59%), 8/25 3-pointers (32%), 9/11 shots (81%), 32 rebounds, 21 assists, 8 steals, 14 turnovers.

Zalgiris team statistics: 18/39 2-pointers (46%), 11/19 3-pointers (57%), 13/18 shots (72%), 30 rebounds, 11 assists, 6 steals, 15 turnovers.

The next games of the two teams: On the second matchday of the competition, Virtus Bologna travel to Monaco (October 13th, 8:00 p.m.), while Zalgiris Kaunas hosts Red Star (October 13th, 8:00 p.m.).