The FIBA Intercontinental Cup semi-final line-up has been confirmed in Beijing after Rytas Vilnius won Group A and NBA G League United topped Group B. Rytas will play Boca Juniors on 26 September, while RSSB Tigers face NBA G League United in the other last-four tie.
The results leave representatives of Europe, South America, North America and Africa in the semi-finals. Boca remain in contention despite defeat in their group decider, whereas Shanghai Sharks will move into the fifth-place game after finishing bottom of Group A.
Rytas finish Group A with emphatic Shanghai win
Rytas secured first place in Group A with a 107-66 victory over Shanghai Sharks, completing the opening phase with a 2-0 record. The Basketball Champions League report said Shanghai were competitive through the first 15 minutes, but Rytas turned the match decisively with a 27-7 third quarter.
Gytis Masiulis led Rytas with 17 points, making all four of his three-point attempts. Arturas Gudaitis contributed 12 points and 13 rebounds, while the report said six Rytas players reached double figures for the second successive match. The Lithuanian side also registered 24 assists for a second game running.
Eurohoops reported that Rytas made 14 of 21 three-point attempts as a team. Kay Bruhnke scored 15 points and Augustas Marciulionis 14 in that balanced effort. The outlet also reported that Rytas travelled with 11 players after Oskaras Pleikys returned to Lithuania for medical tests, having missed the opener with an injury.
That spread of production offers a clear basis for Rytas’ strong position heading into the semi-finals. Their win over the Chinese Basketball Association champions was not reliant on one scorer, while the third-quarter surge showed how quickly they could separate from an opponent once their rhythm was established.
RSSB Tigers progressed alongside Rytas after finishing Group A at 1-1. Shanghai ended the group at 0-2 and will meet host side Beijing Royal Fighters in the fifth-place contest, according to specialist outlet Eurohoops.
Shanghai’s Zhelin Wang scored 14 points in 19 minutes, according to the Basketball Champions League. The same report said Brandon Goodwin did not score after putting up 37 points the previous day, having sat out the second half while managing an injury.
G League United overturn Boca’s advantage
NBA G League United claimed Group B at 2-0 by beating Boca Juniors 79-74, having recovered from a 15-point deficit. The Basketball Champions League said the teams exchanged the lead eight times and were level on six occasions during a closely contested group decider.
James Bouknight scored six consecutive points to wipe out Boca’s advantage, before Eric Dixon broke a late deadlock with four straight points. Dixon finished with 17 points and eight rebounds from the bench. Sean East II and Lester Quinones added 13 points apiece.
The official report said Boca’s earlier lead had made the contest a game to decide the Group B winners. United’s ability to recover and then edge the late stages secured top spot, but Boca’s extended advantage meant they still showed they could challenge the group winners before moving into the Rytas semi-final.
Boca’s Micheal Warren scored 15 points, with Tomas Monacchi adding 11 and Agustin Barreiro 10. The Argentine side therefore enters the Rytas match as Group B runners-up, but their ability to build a substantial lead against G League United suggests the semi-final should not be assessed simply through the final group standings.
Semi-final schedule
RSSB Tigers will play NBA G League United at 15:30 local time on 26 September. Rytas then face Boca at 19:30 local time. The Basketball Champions League said the tournament would conclude on 27 September with the third-place game and the championship match.