Lithuania and Finland split U17 warm-up games in Kaunas

KAUNAS (2016 FIBA U17 World Championship) - Lithuania and Finland split a pair of warm-up games in Kaunas over the weekend as they intensify their preparations for the 2016 FIBA U17 World Championship.

Vitalijus Kozys collected 16 points and 11 rebounds while Tadas Vaiciunas nailed three three-pointers for 10 points as Lithuania won the first of the two games 58-55. 

Both teams struggled offensively as Lithuania turned the ball over 20 times and hit just 34 percent of their shots while Finland committed 18 turnovers and only managed 32 percent from the field. 

Finland's leading scorer was Miika Heinonen, who tallied 12 points to go with three assists. Team captain Elias Valtonen picked up 9 points as well as 4 rebounds before fouling out after just 20 minutes of action.

The two teams played a day later again and Finland prevailed 68-64, coming back in the fourth quarter. 

Heinonen led Finland in scoring in both games against Lithuania 

Heinonen paced the Finns with 15 points while Valtonen scored 8 of his 14 points in the final five minutes as his team trailed by seven points at that point. Valtanon, who also had eight rebounds and five steals, made 3-of-4 free throws in the final five seconds to seal the victory. 

Lithuania forced 25 Finland turnovers but turned it over 24 times themselves in dropping the game. 

Julius Daugela knocked down five three-pointers in scoring 17 points for Lithuania while Grantas Vasiliauskas scored 12 points. The Lithuanians blocked 10 shots, led by four from Lukas Kisunas, who added eight points and five rebounds. 

The Lithuanians played the second game without starting guard Arnas Velicka while Finland were without starting center Tuukka Jaakkola for both games as he deals with a flu. 

Lithuania and Finland squared off in the Quarter-Finals of the 2015 FIBA U16 European Championship with Lithuania winning 93-74 on that occasion. 

Lithuania have been drawn into Group B of the 2016 FIBA U17 World Championship along with Argentina, Mali and hosts Spain. 

Finland debut in the U17 spectacle in Group C along with Australia, Canada and China. 

FIBA