Rytas Vilnius have reached the FIBA Intercontinental Cup final after recovering from an eight-point deficit at the start of the fourth quarter to beat Boca Juniors in Beijing.
Basketball Champions League reported that Rytas won the final period 27-12, overturning a position that had become more difficult when starting point guard Cassius Winston suffered an ankle injury. NBA G League United will meet the Lithuanian side in the championship game after winning the other semi-final against RSSB Tigers.
The result also maintained a competition record: according to the Basketball Champions League, a team from FIBA Europe has reached every Intercontinental Cup championship game, across each format of the event.
Rytas find answers after Winston injury
Boca began the fourth quarter eight points ahead after Lucas Faggiano made two three-pointers, the report said. Neither side had previously established a double-digit advantage in what Basketball Champions League characterised as a physical contest.
The semi-final had been closely balanced before Boca’s fourth-quarter advantage. Basketball Champions League described the meeting as a five-on-five battle in which both sides struggled to create a substantial lead, making the Argentine team’s eight-point cushion particularly significant.
Winston suffered an ankle injury, with Michael Devoe running the point during Rytas’ comeback. With Ricky Lindo making important three-pointers, Rytas quickly wiped out the deficit before Devoe’s pull-up three gave them a five-point advantage with just under two minutes remaining.
Boca tried to fight back, before Augustas Marciulionis’ offensive rebound and put-back lay-up made it 75-70 with 30 seconds left. The reserve guard’s score extended Rytas’ advantage to two possessions at a decisive stage of the contest.
Devoe and Marciulionis each scored 14 points for Rytas, while Kay Bruhnke added 10. Basketball Champions League said Bruhnke had continued his sequence of double-figure scoring displays at this Intercontinental Cup. Micheal Warren scored 16 points for Boca.
Rytas’ recovery has particular weight in the context of the tournament’s European record. Boca had been close to becoming part of the first Intercontinental Cup final without a European representative, but Rytas’ fourth-quarter response ensured that sequence remained intact.
The European side’s place in the final therefore came not only through a late turnaround, but also after adjusting their backcourt responsibilities following Winston’s injury. Devoe’s spell at point guard and Marciulionis’ late contribution were central to the response described by Basketball Champions League.
NBA G League United await in Beijing
The other semi-final developed very differently, according to the report. NBA G League United and RSSB Tigers were separated by only three points at half-time, with both teams scoring at least 50 points in the opening 20 minutes.
Basketball Champions League characterised the first semi-final as a free-flowing game, with fast breaks, transition three-pointers and individual scoring. That contrasted with the more physical contest between Rytas and Boca, although both semi-finals produced a clear finalist for the Beijing championship game.
Eric Dixon’s third-quarter influence helped United take command. The side won that period by 12 and went on to score more than 100 points in a comfortable victory, setting up the final against Rytas.
The report said Dixon took over after the interval, changing a match that had remained close at half-time into a one-sided contest. United’s third-quarter margin gave them control after the teams had combined for more than 100 points before the break.
United’s scoring was led by Lester Quinones, who registered a game-high 29 points. Basketball Champions League reported that Quinones, who scored a game-high 29 points, said he was aiming to reach 30 in the final.
- Lester Quinones led NBA G League United with a game-high 29 points.
- Phillip Wheeler contributed 24 points.
- Dixon finished with 16 points.
- Craig Randall scored 25 points for RSSB Tigers on 10-of-25 field-goal shooting, while Teafale Lenard added 22.
Rytas will face NBA G League United in the final. Basketball Champions League said the last team from the United States to win the event was Maryland Terrapins in 1974.