Home FIBA EuroBasket 2011 Lithuania takes valuable win against Turkey

Lithuania takes valuable win against Turkey

Game of the day saw EuroBasket 2011 hosts take on Turkey in Group A game in Panevezys. The two teams that were yet to experience a loss battled for a very important win which would be very valuable in the second round.

Turkey tried to knock their opponents by taking many three-point shots. Kerem Tunceri and Ersan Ilyasova were the ones causing threat from downtown.

Though Lithuanians managed to respond on the other end of the court. Rimantas Kaukenas scored the first five points for his team.

Orhun Ene’s side tightened the defence in the second quarter and slowed down the pace of the game. It caused troubles for the hosts as they struggled to find ways to score and were forced to take difficult shots.

Simas Jasaitis hit a three-pointer just before half time to narrow the gap to three points, 32-35.

The second half was also a tight contest with both teams working hard to score. Though Turkey kept a narrow lead for most of the time, Lithuanians finished the third quarter stronger and carried a single-point lead to the final period.

Both teams exchanged baskets in the fourth quarter as the game became slightly more open. But it final three minutes that decided the winner. Darius Songaila fouled Emir Preldzic to receive a unsportsmanlike foul while Lithuania was ahead by two points.

Preldzic converted only single free-throw before Turkey made a turnover. Songaila himself was fouled a the other end. He made both free-throws giving Lithuania a three-point lead which proved to be the key to determine the winner. Lithuania won 75-68.

Kestutis Kemzura’s team will face Spain on Sunday while Turkey will take on Poland who recorded their first win against Portugal earlier today.

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