A good start for the visitors forced Barça to react, and little by little, the Catalans turned the score around to get back in front. At the end of the first quarter, however, everything was level (21-21).
The Russians, with former Barça player, Pangos, in great form with the triple, very clearly dominated the the second quarter, and led by 17 points just before the break (29-46). A triple from Higgins on the buzzer marginally cut the deficit.
Reaction without a prize
A great 13-3 run, with Calathes and Davies scoring consistently in attack, put Barça just two points behind (51-53) in the third quarter, until two good triples from KC Rivers saw the Russians surge ahead again.
Seven points in a row from Kuric saw Barça almost draw level once more (61-63), and with six more consecutive points from Davies, the hosts went ahead on for the first time since the first quarter (72-71). At the death, a triple by Rivers and a final basket by Pangos saw the visitors take the win (74-76), Higgins missing another triple at the buzzer.
The next in this best of five series will be this Friday at the Palau Blaugrana (9.00pm CEST).
Match Details
Barça, 74
Zenit, 76
Barça: Calathes (8), Higgins (15), Abrines (2), Mirotic (10), Gasol (3) -starters-. Davies (18), Westermann (-), Hanga (2), Smits (-), Oriola (-), Kuric (12), Claver (4).
Zenit: Rivers (11), Pangos, (19), Hollins (8), Thomas (12), Gudaitis (5) -starters-. Zakharov (-), Baron (6), Khvostov (2), Zubkov (6), Poythress (4), Black (3).
Officials: Lottermoser, Mogulkoc, Nedovic.
