EuroLeague: Zalgiris stun defending champs CSKA, Pana hold off Barcelona
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Struggling Zalgiris Kaunas claimed a major scalp in the Euroleague regular season on Tuesday when they beat table-topping CSKA Moscow
The defending champions from Russia were leading by seven points at half time but Zalgiris came out fighting in the second half.
They outscored their rivals by three in the third quarter before producing a knockout fourth quarter.
Kevin Pangos led the winners with a game-high 21 points as the Lithuanian side celebrated their first win against CSKA in the compeition in almost 17 years.
They won through 79-74 on home court to improve their record to 7-12 – good enough for 12th position in the 16 team standings.
CSKA meanwhile dropped to 14-5.
Elsewhere on the night Panathinaikos thrilled their home support by holding off FC Barcelona in the Greek capital.
Panathinaikos were leading after the first and continue to stretch their advantage heading into the fourth and final quarter.
Although Barca rallied hard to get themselves back in the tie, Pana held on to claim a valuable win.
Ioannis Bourousis starred for the Greens and ended the night with a double-double of 14 points and 11 rebounds.
K.C. Rivers chipped in with 13 points as the hosts enjoyed a 71-65 victory.
Panathinaikos improved their record to a sixth best to 11-8, while Barcelona lost its seventh consecutive road game and dropped to 8-11 for the season – good enough for 10th.