Neptunas knocks off Paris in Eurocup return

Neptunas Klaipeda continued its great run of form at home by downing Paris-Levallois 82-73 in its first Last 32 appearance. A 24-9 run that bridged the last two quarters gave to Neptunas the complete control of the game after a great start by the visitors, who took a double-digit margin early in the game. Deividas Gailius bagged 15 points for the winners, Mustafa Shakur and Donatas Zavackas nailed 12 apiece. Sharrod Ford recorded a double-double of 17 points and 11 boards for the visitors, Mike Green scored 13 points and dished 8 assists and Blake Schilb posted 12 points.

The visitors started strong after opening the score with back-to back buckets from Ford. Shakur tied the game at 10-10 for Neptunas. The teams remained close till 16-19 before 6 points nailed by Paris gave it a 16-25 margin on a Schilb jumper with 2 seconds left in the quarter. Green form the foul line raised the cushion to 16-30, but led by three pointers by Gailius and Simas Galdikas, Neptunas went on a 12-0 run to lead 32-30. Maleye N’Doye tied it at 32-32, but Neptunas remained ahead through a jumper from Galdikas. Free throws by Schilb and Donatas Zavackas made it 41-36 at halftime.

Neptunas captain Martynas Mazeika raised the margin to 43-36. Neptunas kept a slim margin with Gailius and Landing Sane fueling their respective sides. MIndaugas Girdziunas hit from downtown to give a double-digit margin to the home team at 57-46. After Louis Laberye hit a jumper, Neptunas completed a great finish to the quarter to lead 69-54 on a three-pointer by Zavackas. Keith Benson made it a 20-point game, 74-54 early in the last quarter. The visitors tried to cut the difference behind Green and Nicolas Lang, who tried to push them, but it was too late.