Playing a dominant third offensive quarter, Rytas Vilnius (18-10) secured an important victory in the Lithuanian Basketball League (LKL), sponsored by Betsson.
Giedrius Žibėnas’s team defeated Šiauliai (15-13) at home 102:72 (22:22, 19:18, 32:14, 29:18).
Vilnius had won two previous encounters, while Šiauliai had won the most recent one.
Rytas thus increased their lead over third-place Neptūnas Klaipėda (16-11), and Šiauliai now have two more losses than the latter.
The Rytas team started slightly better (16:8), with Martynas Echodas active in offense. However, Vaidas Kariniauskas hit from long range, Daniel Baslykas did the same, and after two attacks from Selim Fofana, the score was tied at 18:18. The intense first quarter ended in a tie – 22:22.
Šiauliai tried to take the initiative (28:26), but Ignas Sargiūnas and Simas Lukošius reversed the score in favor of Vilnius – 34:33. After a 7:2 run, Šiauliai again took the lead, but the hosts had a fragile advantage after the first half – 41:40.
Dayvion McKnight had scored 13 points in two quarters, while two important Vilnius guards, Augustas Marčiulionis and Jerrick Harding, played inefficiently (with -4 and -3 efficiency ratings).
After the break, Rytas shifted into a higher gear: I. Sargiūnas sank two three-pointers, later added two more points, and Kay Bruhnke joined the three-point party – 53:46. The difference gradually reached double digits (60:48), and Augustas Marčiulionis’s three-pointer punished Šiauliai – 64:51. The visitors, looking modest in offense, trailed 54:73 after three quarters.
Vilnius continued their dominance, not allowing the visitors to even think about regaining intrigue (84:59), and won the match convincingly.
Cedric Henderson was stopped and played his worst LKL season game, sponsored by Betsson. He scored 3 points (1/7 shooting) and collected -3 efficiency ratings.
Šiauliai were without Cassius Stanley, who injured his leg in the weekend match, and Marius Valinskas. Rytas played without Jordan Caroline.