Rytas Vilnius (4–1) earned a measure of revenge against Utena Juventus (3–4) for last season’s quarterfinal defeat in the Lithuanian Basketball League (LKL), sponsored by Betsson.
Nedas Pacevičius’ squad secured a convincing 94–76 (30–25, 21–17, 20–10, 23–24) victory on the road against the Utena team.
During the game, Martynas Paliukėnas suffered a shoulder injury.
Rytas got off to a strong start (7–2), although Juventus managed to stay within striking distance (12–9). Artūras Gudaitis scored through a hard foul by Gintautas Matulis (15–9), and the Rytas big man continued to cause problems for the hosts, extending the lead to 19–12.
However, Emmanuel Nzekwesi put together an impressive stretch to keep Juventus close (24–20), before Gytis Masiulis quickly responded with a three-pointer (27–20). Rytas finished the opening quarter with a 30–25 advantage.
Gytis Radzevičius knocked down a pair of three-pointers, while Matas Jogėla added another, helping the visitors extend their lead to 40–27. Rytas continued to find success from beyond the arc, and a basket by Cassius Winston pushed the advantage to 47–31.
Laurynas Beliauskas ended the visitors’ run with a three-pointer (47–34), but Rytas maintained control and headed into halftime leading 51–42.
Gudaitis and Winston helped Rytas take an even firmer grip on the game (62–44), as the lead continued to grow (65–46). Augustas Marčiulionis and Michael Devoe kept the momentum going, allowing the visitors to enter the final quarter with a commanding 71–52 advantage.
Juventus attempted to mount a comeback in the fourth quarter, cutting the deficit to 75–61 and forcing Pacevičius to call a timeout. Chase Hunter brought the hosts even closer (79–66), but Juventus were unable to seriously threaten Rytas’ lead.
The Utena side played without Justas Furmanavičius, Paulius Valinskas, and Cameron Reynolds.
Beliauskas and Nzekwesi led Juventus in scoring with 18 points each.
For Rytas, Gudaitis delivered the most efficient performance, finishing with 18 points, 6 rebounds, and a game-high 27 efficiency rating.
Juventus: Laurynas Beliauskas and Emmanuel Nzekwesi – 18 points each, Jack Pagenkopf – 16, Chase Hunter – 15.
Rytas: Artūras Gudaitis – 18 points (6 rebounds), Gytis Radzevičius, Augustas Marčiulionis, and Cassius Winston – 15 each, Michael Devoe – 11.
Source: LKL.lt