By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
The reigning champion of Lithuania’s Betsafe LKL, Rytas defeated Zalgiris, 91-88, on Sunday.
Following a losing effort to start the Basketball Champions League Regular Season, the Vilnius outfit improved to 2-1 at the domestic level, behind the support of the Twinsbet Arena crowd.
Gytis Radzevicius recorded a game-high 20 points with 5/6 field goals, including 3/3 from beyond the arc. Azuolas Tubelis and Jayvon Graves added 15 and 12 points, respectively. Gytis Masiulis threw in nine points, nine rebounds, two assists, and one block.
After allowing 7/11 three-pointers in the first half, better perimeter defense after the break put the visitors into shooting distance. However, missed key attempts in crunch time kept Rytas in charge and led to the first loss of the 2024-25 campaign.
Zalgiris captain Edgaras Ulanovas and Bryant Dunston shared a team-high 16 points. Sylvain Francisco had 15 points to go with a game-high eight assists. Deividas Sirvydis followed with 14 points.
Tomas Dimsa (shoulder surgery) and Brady Manek (ankle) remained on the injury list for the team coached by Andrea Trinchieri.
STANDINGS: Neptunas 3-0, 7bet-Lietkabelis 3-0, Zalgiris 3-1, Wolves Twinsbet 2-1, Rytas 2-1…
Resuming the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague schedule, Zalgiris visits Olympiacos in Round 2 of the Regular Season on Friday. Taking down FC Barcelona in Zalgirio Arena shaped a 1-0 start last Thursday.
The team coached by Zibenas was forced to 0-1 in Group F of the BCL Regular Season by UnaHotels Reggio Emilia on Tuesday.
Photo Credit: Basketball Champions League