Barça Lassa 78 Zalgiris Kaunas 72: Victory in a big match up

An important win in the Palau Blaugrana for Barça Lassa by 78-72 over rivals Zalgiris Kaunas in match 22 of the Euroleague. In a tight and tense encounter Barça's defensive performance was the key with Adam Hanga in particular very impressive. The win now leaves Svetislav Pesic's team just one victory away from a place in the top 4 of the competition. 

The Lithuanians started well with but two consecutive three pointers, Barça Lassa took a 12-9 lead. Five consecutive points from Séraphin gave the blaugranes a 23-20 advantage at the end of the first quarter. 

In a scrappier second quarter Barça Lassa retained their lead with Tomic inspired, collecting 11 points, 5 of 5 shooting in the first half. At the break Pesic's side were 45-38 up. 

Zalgiris comeback 

After the break the Lithuanian side came back into the game and the team coached by former Barça player Jasikevicius took the lead at one point 62-60. That set up a scintillating final quarter and Séraphin's basket was crucial to give Barça a lead at 71-66. In the final minute a great defensive play from Hanga led to a final basket and a final score of 77-70 for the home side. The win reinforces Barça Lassa's options of finishing the league phase of the competition as one of the seeded sides. 

Match stats 

Barça Lassa, 78
Zalgiris, 72

Barça Lassa: Pangos (5), Kuric (6), Claver (2), Singleton (6), Tomic (11) – starting five- Séraphin (12), Hanga (14), Blazic (2), Heurtel (10), Oriola (10).

Zalgiris Kaunas: Wolters (15), Grigonis (2), White (10), Milaknis (17), Kavaliauskas (4) –starting five- Davies (8), Thompson (-), Walkup (4), Westermann (-), Jankunas (4), Ulanovas (8).