Nike IJT Belgrade Game Report: Lietuvos Rytas 83-69 Hemofarm
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Lietuvos Rytas is the second finalist in the Nike Junior Tournament taking place in Belgrade, Seria. The young generation of Rytas stopped Hemofarm Vrsac with a 83-69 win. Rytas will meet the hosting club FMP Zeleznik in the finals, and by qualifying to the gold medal game earned a ticket to the Nike Euroleague Tournament to be held in the upcoming Euroleague Final Four in Madrid. Hemofarm will meet Red Star Belgrade in the third place game, and the winner of that game will join Rytas and the already qualified FMP club in Madrid. The first quarter of the game faced big forward Uros Petrovic on Hemofarm's side against Rytas' guard Rokas Jukonis, and Hemofarm saw a 15-19 lead after ten minutes. Jukonis continued to attack the rim in the second quarter, and despite Nemanja Arnautovic of Hemofarm earned several easy baskets in fast breaks, Rytas took a 36-33 lead at half time. After the break Rytas took over the game and took a 15 point difference behind big plays by Augustas Peciukevicius and forward Arnoldas Bertaius. Rytas played with great intensity and fought for every ball, which didn't allow Hemofarm the chance to come back to the game. Center Evaldas Kairys showed great presence on defense denying shots and grabbing boards as Rytas won its third game in the tournament and will get to show its collection of prospects in Madrid next month. Bertaius led Rytas with 19 points in 21 minutes, Jukonis had 17, of which 14 in the first half, with six rebounds, Mantas Kadzevicius scored 11 and Kairys finished with nine points, seven rebounds and four blocks. Arnautovic was the top scorer of Hemofarm with 23 points and Petrovic added 15.
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Yarone Arbel, Belgrade
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