Lietuvos Rytas missed the chance to book its spot in the Eurocup quarterfinals, losing 78-82 (21-20, 21-15, 16-25, 20-21) to Lokomotiv Krasnodar at home in Vilnius and complicating their chances of advancing from the Last 16 stage.
The Russian side was on the brink of
elimination, trailing by double-digits in the first half of the game, but the
visitors managed to bounce back with a strong third quarter, knocking down one
three-point shot after another.
Ali Traore led Lokomotiv in scoring with 18
points, Sergey Bykov had 15, while Jeremiah Massey finished the game with 13
points and 10 rebounds for the visitors from Kransodar.
Although Jonas Valancunas recorded a
double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds, also adding three blocks, the 19-year-old
Lithuanian, who was named FIBA Europe Young Player of the Year, failed to cope
with Traore defensively.
Renaldas Seibutis was the only other Lietuvos
Rytas player in double-digits with 12 points, Lawrence Roberts added nine,
while Mindaugas Katelynas and Tyrese Rice finished the game with eight points
each, with the latter also adding eight assists.
Lietuvos Rytas’ faith will be decided in
Treviso, where the Vilnius side will face Benetton next week, as a loss in
Italy would eliminate the Lithuanians from the competition, while a win would
open up a spot in the quarterfinals.
