Having wasted a 13-point lead in the fourth quarter, Zalgiris handed Cantu a 79-78 (21-17, 11-18, 17-23, 30-19) victory in the Top 16 stage of Euroleague on Wednesday evening in Italy.
It was the second loss for Zalgiris in Group H, as they had also been defeated by Maccabi in Kaunas last week, while Cantu improved to 1-1 with a win against Zalgiris after losing to Barcelona.
The club from Kaunas had a 3-point deficit when Sonny Weems stepped to the free-throw line with a couple of seconds remaining. The American swingman made the first one before missing the second attempt intentionally, only to grab a rebound himself and tie the game.
However, the game wasn’t over, as Cantu still had three seconds for the last possession. The hosts didn’t even need the time, as Mantas Kalnietis fouled Giorgi Shermadini on the inbounds play and the big Georgian converted one of two free-throws.
After a missed second free-throw attempt, Marko Popovic managed to get the rebound before letting go of a half-court heave, which was well short of the target.
The Italians were led by Gianluca Basile, who collected 15 points for Cantu, Giorgi Shermadini scored 12, while Denis Marconato finished the game with nine.
DeJuan Collins was the top-scorer for Zalgiris with 15 points, Sonny Weems had 14, while Marko Popovic chipped in with 12 points.
Highlights of the game:
