Published on March 27, 2026 at 07:54 PM by driblio.net
Date
2026-03-27
Venue
ULKER SPORTS AND EVENT HALL
Round
Round 34
Attendance
0
Zalgiris Kaunas produced a commanding performance on hostile territory, defeating Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul 92-82 at the Ulker Sports and Event Hall in a pivotal Round 34 EuroLeague encounter. The Lithuanian powerhouse demonstrated resilience and tactical superiority throughout the contest, building crucial leads and withstanding late pressure from the home side to secure their sixth victory in seven games.
The victory extends Zalgiris Kaunas' impressive recent form, having now won six of their last seven contests. Meanwhile, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul suffered a setback in their campaign despite entering the match with momentum from consecutive home victories against Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.
Wade Baldwin IV was magnificent in defeat for Fenerbahce, producing an all-around performance that kept the Turkish giants within striking distance. The American guard finished with 19 points on an efficient 7-of-12 shooting from the field, adding four assists and a crucial block. His ability to penetrate the Zalgiris defense and create opportunities proved vital, particularly during the second and third quarters when Fenerbahce threatened to seize control.
Talen Horton-Tucker provided additional firepower with 18 points, converting 8-of-16 field goal attempts while contributing two assists. The American forward consistently attacked the basket, drawing fouls and creating scoring opportunities in transition. However, his four turnovers proved costly at critical junctures, disrupting Fenerbahce's offensive rhythm during decisive stretches.
Bonzie Colson offered valuable support with 11 points, including three crucial three-pointers. The American forward's efficiency from beyond the arc kept Fenerbahce within striking distance, while his six rebounds provided additional possessions. Nando De Colo, the French veteran, contributed 11 points off the bench, including two important three-pointers, though his three turnovers undermined his offensive contributions.
The visitors' victory was built on exceptional team basketball, with six players reaching double figures in scoring. Dustin Sleva led the charge with 18 points, shooting an impressive 6-of-11 from the field, including 4-of-7 from three-point range. The American forward's versatility proved problematic for Fenerbahce's defense, as he contributed seven rebounds and four assists while recording two steals that sparked transition opportunities.
Sylvain Francisco orchestrated Zalgiris' offense brilliantly, finishing with 14 points and a game-high eight assists. The French guard's court vision and decision-making proved instrumental, particularly during the fourth quarter when Zalgiris needed to maintain their advantage. His three three-pointers stretched Fenerbahce's defense, while his five turnovers were mitigated by his overall positive impact.
Nigel Williams-Goss provided crucial scoring punch with 13 points on 5-of-10 shooting, including an impressive 3-of-4 from beyond the arc. The American guard's ability to knock down perimeter shots at critical moments prevented Fenerbahce from mounting sustained runs. Arnas Butkevicius matched that total with 13 points, shooting a perfect 3-of-3 from three-point range while adding eight rebounds and two steals in an exceptional all-around performance.
Zalgiris established their credentials early, winning the opening quarter 25-22 despite Fenerbahce's home court advantage. The Lithuanian side's defensive intensity disrupted Fenerbahce's offensive flow, forcing turnovers and converting them into transition opportunities. Azuolas Tubelis made an immediate impact, scoring six points on perfect shooting to give Zalgiris early momentum.
Fenerbahce struggled to find offensive rhythm in the opening period, with Devon Hall providing the only consistent threat. The home side's three-point shooting proved problematic, and their inability to protect the basketball led to easy scoring opportunities for the visitors.
The second quarter proved intensely competitive, with Fenerbahce responding emphatically to outscore Zalgiris 27-19 and take a 49-44 halftime advantage. Baldwin emerged as the catalyst, scoring crucial baskets and orchestrating the Turkish offense with precision. His penetration ability created open looks for teammates, while his defensive presence helped limit Zalgiris' transition game.
Francisco kept Zalgiris within striking distance, though his three turnovers in the quarter temporarily stalled the visitors' momentum. The French guard's persistence paid dividends, as his five free throws maintained contact on the scoreboard. Tubelis continued his efficient scoring, adding two more baskets to finish the half with eight points on perfect 4-of-4 shooting.
The third quarter proved decisive, as Zalgiris' superior defensive organization held Fenerbahce to just 17 points while scoring 18 themselves to take a 62-60 advantage entering the final period. The Lithuanian side's ability to limit Baldwin's effectiveness proved crucial, forcing other Fenerbahce players to create offense.
Butkevicius delivered his most impactful stretch, knocking down crucial three-pointers that energized the Zalgiris bench. His perfect shooting from beyond the arc stretched Fenerbahce's defense, creating driving lanes for teammates. Moses Wright provided interior presence, though his 3-of-10 shooting reflected Fenerbahce's defensive adjustments.
Zalgiris demonstrated championship-level composure in the final quarter, outscoring Fenerbahce 26-20 to secure the victory. The visitors' free throw shooting proved crucial, converting key attempts down the stretch while Fenerbahce struggled from the charity stripe. Mikael Jantunen missed critical free throws for the home side that could have altered the game's trajectory.
Williams-Goss knocked down a crucial three-pointer midway through the quarter that extended Zalgiris' lead to 78-84, effectively ending Fenerbahce's comeback hopes. The American guard's clutch shooting epitomized Zalgiris' mental toughness, as they repeatedly answered Fenerbahce's scoring runs with timely baskets.
Wright battled foul trouble throughout the contest but delivered important free throws in the closing minutes, converting 4-of-8 attempts to help preserve the advantage. His 10 points and five rebounds provided valuable interior scoring, though his efficiency could have been better. Francisco's eight assists orchestrated the offense beautifully, ensuring Zalgiris maintained their composure during pressure moments.
Zalgiris' defensive performance ultimately determined the outcome, as they held Fenerbahce to 82 points—well below their seasonal average. The visitors' ability to contest shots, rotate effectively, and limit second-chance opportunities frustrated Fenerbahce's offensive weapons. Sleva's two steals sparked transition baskets, while Butkevicius' defensive positioning prevented easy penetration.
Fenerbahce's three-point shooting struggles compounded their difficulties, as they failed to consistently stretch Zalgiris' defense. Baldwin and Horton-Tucker combined for 37 points but received insufficient support from their teammates. Khem Birch struggled to impact the game, missing both free throw attempts and failing to score in over 14 minutes of action.
This road victory significantly boosts Zalgiris' playoff aspirations, demonstrating their capability to win in hostile environments against quality opposition. Their balanced scoring attack and defensive discipline suggest they possess the tools necessary for a deep postseason run. The team's recent form—six wins in seven games—indicates they are peaking at precisely the right moment.
Fenerbahce must regroup quickly, as this defeat exposes concerning offensive inconsistencies. Their reliance on Baldwin and Horton-Tucker proved insufficient against organized defenses, while their inability to convert free throws in crucial moments raises questions about their mental fortitude. The coaching staff must address these issues promptly to maintain their playoff positioning in an increasingly competitive EuroLeague landscape.
| Rank | Player | Team | PTS | REB | AST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | WADE BALDWIN IV | FBB | 19 | 1 | 4 |
| 2 | TALEN HORTON TUCKER | FBB | 18 | 3 | 2 |
| 3 | DUSTIN SLEVA | ZAL | 18 | 7 | 4 |
| 4 | SYLVAIN FRANCISCO | ZAL | 14 | 1 | 8 |
| 5 | AZUOLAS TUBELIS | ZAL | 13 | 3 | 1 |
Zalgiris Kaunas defeated FC Barcelona 83-71 at home in EuroLeague Round 35. Moses Wright dominated with 18 points and 11 rebounds, while Sylvain Francisco orchestrated the offense with 14 points and eight assists. The Lithuanian side's defensive intensity held Barcelona to just 15 fourth-quarter points, securing a crucial victory.
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FC Bayern Munich defeated Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul 85-76 at home in EuroLeague Round 35. Neno Dimitrijevic led Bayern with 22 points, while Justinian Jessup added 16. Tarik Biberovic's 21 points led Fenerbahce's comeback attempt, but Bayern's strong start and fourth-quarter execution secured the victory.
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