Kauno Žalgiris clawed past Fenerbahçe Beko 81-78 at Žalgirio Arena to keep their EuroLeague Playoffs quarterfinal alive. The hosts trailed for over 35 minutes and by as many as 19, then flipped the script late behind a massive fourth quarter. Fenerbahçe still lead the series 2-1.

Tubelis turns Game 3 in Kaunas

Azuolas Tubelis put on a Game 3 clinic with 26 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 blocks on 9/14 shooting. He poured in 13 of his points in the fourth quarter, including a clutch three and multiple trips to the line. Every time Fenerbahçe looked settled, Tubelis found a way to keep Žalgiris within reach and then ahead.

Nigel Williams-Goss added 18 points on 6/10 from the field with 5 assists, while Moses Wright chipped in 11 points and 6 boards. Sylvain Francisco stuffed the line with 12 points, 8 assists and 7 rebounds despite a cold shooting night.

How the finish unfolded

Fenerbahçe led 25-12 after Q1, 42-35 at halftime and 62-57 after three. The final period swung 24-16 for Žalgiris.

Inside the last minute, Nigel Williams-Goss nudged the hosts up 80-76 from the stripe. Wade Baldwin answered to make it 80-78, but Edgaras Ulanovas hit a late free throw to seal it 81-78 as the Kaunas crowd exhaled.

The numbers that swung it

Žalgiris won the battle of the glass 36-31 and grabbed 14 offensive rebounds, turning extra possessions into points. They also owned the stripe, hitting 18/23 free throws to Fenerbahçe’s 7/10. The hosts were just 27/63 from the field and 9/29 from three, but second chances and calm late-game execution made the difference.

Fenerbahçe shot better overall at 32/65 and 37% from deep, and had the game’s biggest run and lead. But turnovers (12 to Žalgiris’ 10) and fewer trips to the line narrowed their margin when it mattered.

Fenerbahçe’s leaders and what’s next

Wade Baldwin posted 16 points and 5 assists, while Talen Horton-Tucker had 15 points and 4 assists. Devon Hall added 14, with Tarik Biberović knocking down 10. Nando De Colo scored 7 in limited minutes and Khem Birch was a perfect 2/2 inside.

Fenerbahçe still hold a 2-1 series advantage, but Žalgiris have momentum after a resilient home win. Track live series updates, full box score and Sofascore Ratings on Sofascore.