Aaron White Zalgiris Kaunas
Photo: EuroLeague Basketball

In a crucial match in Kaunas, Zalgiris Kaunas came back from a double-digit deficit in the first half to defeat Panathinaikos at home (82-69).

The visitors made a great start to the game and quickly took the lead (8-17, 16-26). Yet, the hosts reacted and cut the deficit to four at halftime (33-37).

The Lithuanians opened the third quarter on a 13-0 run to earn a nine-point lead (46-37), but the “Greens” came back and were down by one at halftime (52-51).

Zalgiris were unstoppable in the fourth quarter, though, and outscored their opponents 30-18 to cruise to the victory.

Aaron White led the winners with 15 points, while he scored 13 of them in the second half. Marius Grigonis added 13.

DeShaun Thomas had 14 points for the losing squad, with Nick Calathes (six assists) and Sean Kilpatrick (EuroLeague debut) posting 11 points apiece.

Both teams now have identical records (8-11), but Zalgiris swept Panathinaikos and took the tie-break advantage.