Giedrius Žibėnas’ squad crushed Utena Juventus (8-19) at home with a score of 102:80 (25:18, 23:13, 23:18, 31:31), marking their 11th consecutive defeat.
Following this victory, the Vilnius team pulled ahead of Klaipėda Neptūnas (16-10) by one win; Neptūnas will play their game tomorrow against Panevėžys Lietkabelis. Meanwhile, Utena’s win-loss record is once again level with Kėdainiai Nevėžis-Paskolų klubas (8-19).
Jerrick Harding was the most unstoppable player for the winners. The Vilnius team’s offensive leader scored 24 points (4/4 2pt, 3/6 3pt, 7/7 FT), dished out 6 assists, and accumulated 31 efficiency points.
He was well supported by Kay’s Bruhnke (16 pts, 6 reb, 4 ast, 22 eff), with Artūras Gudaitis (14 pts, 8 reb, 16 eff) and Ignas Urbonas (8 pts, 4 reb, 15 eff) not far behind.
Neither Ivan Vraneš’s double-double (10 pts, 10 reb, 17 eff) nor Paulius Valinskas’s scoring prowess among teammates (16 pts) could save Juventus.
At the start of the game, the hosts demonstrated confident offense, leading 9:0 after a run, while Utena Juventus scored their first points only in the middle of the quarter. Although Juventus managed to narrow the gap towards the end of the quarter, the hosts maintained the initiative, leading 25:18 after the first ten minutes.
In the second quarter, Rytas went on a devastating 13:0 run, after which the Vilnius team’s lead doubled compared to their opponents’ points (48:24). Although Juventus managed to reduce the deficit towards the end of the quarter, the first half ended with Rytas still confidently leading 48:31.
Juventus returned from the locker room showing character, managing to round down the deficit to 10 points (40:50). However, they could not seriously challenge the capital’s basketball players – with one minute left in the third quarter, the difference had again doubled (67:47). I. Urbonas, punishing his hometown team, finished the quarter with accurate free throws – 71:49.
In the last ten minutes, the guests’ offense found it somewhat easier to break the ice, but the Vilnius team responded in kind on the other side of the court, so the difference essentially remained unchanged, and the dwindling time inevitably brought Rytas closer to victory. I. Urbonas further delighted the fans with an impressive dunk, and J. Harding scored the 100th point, until the final buzzer finally announced the hosts’ confident victory.
Rytas: Jerrick Harding 24, Kay’s Bruhnke 16, Artūras Gudaitis 14, Martynas Echodas 12, Gytis Masiulis 11, Augustas Marčiulionis 9, Ignas Urbonas 8.
Juventus: Paulius Valinskas 16, Maxwell Lewis and Erik Venskus both 11, Ivan Vraneš 10, Šarūnas Beniušis 9, Lukas Uleckas and Evaldas Šaulys both 7.
Source: LKL.lt