By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Rytas Vilnius entered the Group H game against first-placed Lenovo Tenerife knowing that it could potentially be a “win or go home” clash for them, depending on what would happen in the other match between Bnei Herzliya and Peristeri Athens.
In the end, Rytas got the 85 – 78 win to stay alive in the 2022-23 Basketball Champions League and when Peristeri also emerged victorious, the Lithuanian side mathematically clinched second place.
Marcus Foster scored 21 points and dished out five assists for the winning side while Elvar Fridriksson provided 19 points. Gytis Radzevicius completed the winning triplet for Rytas with 11 points, 10 assists and five rebounds. Their team led for the entire second half and was even up by 12 in the third quarter.
Jaime Fernandez was the only player in double figures for Tenerife with 18 points. The Spanish team began the game strong and was up for the larger part of the first half when Rytas made a strong finish to go ahead 44 – 40 at the break.
The hosts retained an advantage and increased it to 63 – 51 with four minutes to play in the fourth period. Tenerife attempted a comeback to cut its margin to 71 – 69 but the hosts held their composure and answered with some 3-point buckets courtesy of Gytis Masiulis and Radzevicius. Fridriksson’ bucket for the 80 – 70 with a minute to play sealed the final outcome.