By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Falling into a 1-0 hole Thursday, Rytas immediately bounced back logging a blowout win, 94-71, against Zalgiris in Jeep Arena Saturday.
Explosive guard Marcus Foster delivered 17 points in the first half and 22 overall in Game 2 of the Betsafe LKL Playoffs best-of-five championship series. The 27-year-old American also put in four rebounds, two blocks, one steal, and one assist over 31 minutes.
Colombian center Jaime Echenique chipped in 18 more points. Lithuanian center Evaldas Kairys finished with 11 points. Gytis Radzevicius combined ten points with six rebounds and three assists. Another solid contribution, Kendale McCullum got to six points, five assists, and four rebounds.
Former Texas standout Isaiah Taylor set his best scoring performance for the 2022-23 season to 20 points. Behind his 14 points in the second quarter, Zalgiris went into a tie twice. Trailing the rest of the way with an unmanageable distance growing in the third quarter resulted in the loss. Tomas Dimsa and Tyler Cavanaugh recorded 12 and 11 points, respectively, in Vilnius. Both Keenan Evans (Achilles) and Achille Polonara (thigh) are unlikely to play again this season, but the remaining players remain available for head coach Kazys Maksvytis.
Lithuania’s defending champions, guided by play-caller Giedrius Zibenas knotted the 2023 Finals at 1-1. Game 3 will be held in Zalgirio Arena Tuesday. Back to Vilnius and Jeep Arena, Game 4 will take place Thursday. Game 5, if necessary, will be hosted in Zalgirio Arena Saturday.
Photo Credit: Basketball Champions League