LKL champs Zalgiris Kaunas bounced back following their EuroLeague home defeat to CSKA Moscow by downing bottom-placed (0-11) Prienai 81-78 (21-20, 16-20, 16-20, 25-21) on the road.
The game was decided by a Tyler Cavanaugh three-pointer at the buzzer, with the score tied at 78. The American forward, who finished with 14 points overall, received a kick-out pass from Lukas Lekavicius and drained the shot that kept Zalgiris on top of the standings.
At the end of the third half, the visitors had a slight edge (56-53), but then Jure Zdovc men made a 9-0 run that gave them a double-digit lead (65-53).
With Zalgiris up 72-58, it seemed that the outcome of the match was already clear. However, the hosts, coached by Vido Ginevic, did not give up and fought to the end.
Led by Erikas Venskus, Prienai went off to a 16-2 run, catching up at 74 points with two minutes left. Venskus hit a crucial three-pointer with a minute left, putting his team ahead 78-76.
However, Tyler Cavanaugh had the last say, as he scored 5 points in a row, both baskets coming off Lekavicius' assists, handing the win to Zalgiris.
Prienai: Juwan Josiah Durham 23 (10/14 FG, 3/5 FT, 11 REB), Jovan Kljajic 20 (7/15 FG, 5/6 FT, 4 REB), Erikas Venskus 12.
Zalgiris Kaunas: Tyler Cavanaugh 14 (6/12 FG, 5 REB), Joshua Nebo 13 (5/6 FG, 13 REB), Karolis Lukosiunas 12 (4/10 FG), Edgaras Ulanovas 10.
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