The Serbs started the game much better, who after an 11:2 run in the first quarter built a double-digit lead – 20:9.
However, the Lithuanians almost erased the deficit in the first quarter (18:21), and starting the second quarter with six consecutive points they took the lead (24:21). At one point, winning the stretch 27:9, our team pulled away by 7 points (36:29), which they maintained at halftime (47:40).
After the long break, the Serbs came within 1 point several times, but the Lithuanians finished the third quarter strongly and Rapolas Klišauskas gave our team a double-digit lead for the first time with a three-pointer (70:59).
Hitting two more three-pointers at the start of the fourth quarter, the Lithuanians escaped to a 15-point lead (76:61). Although the Serbs tried to hang on and reduced the difference to 7 points several times, they could not get closer, and the Lithuanians celebrated their first victory, even building a 16-point lead at the end.
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An important role in the winners’ ranks was played by Šarūnas Jasikevičius’s nephew Danielius Jasikevičius. In 30.5 minutes, he scored 17 points, made 7 assists, grabbed 6 rebounds, stole 4 balls, and collected 22 efficiency points. However, the young point guard lacked a bit of accuracy – 1/4 two-pointers, 4/11 three-pointers, 3/3 free throws.
The young Jasikevičius was best supported by R. Klišauskas, who made everything he shot (14 points, 4/4 two-pointers, 2/2 three-pointers, 19 efficiency points). Double-digit points were also reached by Raigardas Ciūnys (13 points), Jonas Biržinis (12 points), Lukas Andrulis (12 points, 5 assists), and Ignas Martinkus (11 points).
On Saturday, the Lithuanians will meet their peers from Poland, and on Sunday – with the hosts Romania. All four teams from the group will advance to the next stage, the round of 16, but a higher place will determine a match against a theoretically weaker opponent.
