Giedrius Žibėnas’ team suffered a 92:84 (29:27, 26:22, 16:16, 21:19) road defeat against Utena Juventus, now trailing 0:1 in the best-of-two quarterfinal series.
Due to arena availability, the Utena team started the series in their city, but the second and, if necessary, third games will be played in Vilnius on May 23rd and 25th.
The capital club’s solid big-man duo couldn’t save them. Artūras Gudaitis finished the game with 16 points, 8 rebounds, and 15 efficiency rating points, while Gytis Masiulis added 13 points and 5 rebounds for 22 efficiency rating points.
However, Vilnius was without Simonas Lukošius, Jerrick Harding, and Jordan Caroline.
At the start of the game, both teams displayed high-scoring basketball, exchanging successful offensive plays. Juventus players were the first to find gaps in the opponents’ defense and had already established a double-digit lead midway through the quarter (19:8). Nevertheless, the visitors collectively reduced the deficit. By the end of the quarter, after a G. Masiulis dunk, only 2 points separated the teams – 27:29.
The pace remained high in the second quarter, and Rytas, through accurate shooting and successful rebounding, managed to take the lead (42:37). However, the Juventus team, led by accurate long-range shots and strong play from P. Valinskas at the end of the quarter, regained the initiative. The first half concluded with Utena holding a six-point lead – 55:49.
After the break, the game became significantly tougher, with both teams committing more turnovers and struggling offensively. Rytas approached and even tied the score several times, but the hosts consistently found answers with crucial shots from M. Lewis and Malik Johnson. Before the decisive stretch, the Utena team maintained the same six-point advantage – 71:65.
In the decisive fourth quarter, Juventus controlled the situation on the court and extended their lead to double digits (76:65) with accurate shooting. The visitors then slowly started to climb back – at a crucial moment, two three-pointers from Ignas Sargiūnas, followed by a Speedy Smith two-pointer, restored parity after a long time (84:84). Šarūnas Beniušis once again put his team ahead (86:84), while the Vilnius team struggled to execute successful offensive plays. Furthermore, P. Valinskas converted two free throws (88:84). Augustas Marčiulionis could have responded in kind, but both his shots missed, and on the other end of the court, L. Uleckas and M. Lewis sealed the victory with free throws.
Juventus scorers: Maxwell Lewis 19, Paulius Valinskas and Lukas Uleckas 15 each, Malik Johnson 13, Ivan Vraneš 10, Šarūnas Beniušis 9, Hassanas Diarra 7.
Rytas scorers: Artūras Gudaitis 16, Augustas Marčiulionis 15, Gytis Masiulis and Ignas Sargiūnas 13 each, Speedy Smith 12, Ignas Urbonas 6.