PANEVEZYS (Lithuania) - Lithuania finished off a perfect start to their preparations for the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 Puerto Rico as they defeated Lebanon 95-66 in Panevezys for a third straight victory against the Asians.
Lithuania have scored 300 points in 3 games against Lebanon
After downing the Asians 100-71 on Monday in Jonava and 105-66 in Kedainiai on Wednesday, Kazys Maksvytis' Lithuania completed the hat-trick after a slow start.
Lebanon, who will be competing in the OQT Spain, played a lot better in the first quarter than they did in the first two games. After watching Lithuania hit 7 three-pointers in a 30-17 opening frame in the first game and 6 three-pointers in a 35-12 first quarter in Kedainiai, Lebanon held the hosts to just 1-of-9 from long range in the first 10 minutes and trailed just 24-22.
The story of the game
Jad Khalil completed a three-point play 3 minutes into the second quarter and Lebanon were actually leading 31-29. Lithuania answered with the next 12 points for a double-digit lead and were up 45-36 at half-time.
Lebanon needed more than 3 minutes to score in the second half and the home side was already starting to race away, up 53-36. Lithuania took the third quarter 30-13 to decide the game.
The player of the game
Ignas Sargiunas was rock solid the whole game with 16 points while also collecting 2 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals and 0 turnovers in 18 minutes of action.
The steals and turnovers were equally important as Sargiunas really helped the team control the ball on offense and get out on the break on defense.
The stats of the game
Lithuania once again shared the ball very well, creating 28 assists and turning 19 Lebanon turnovers in 29 points with 21 fast break points.
The takeaways from the game
Lebanon head coach Mirodrag Perisic was able to count on big man Omari Spellman, who missed the final 17 minutes of the game on Wednesday with an injury. But Karim Ezzeddine could not play as he also went down in the third quarter in the same game with a leg injury.
Perisic's team was led by Gerard Hadidian scoring 19 points as the big man is urging to play in the OQT after missing the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023. Khalil finished with 11 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists.
Coach Maksvytis meanwhile is getting more and more input about his point guard position as Sargiunas had a strong game and is looking for his first action with the senior national team. Laurynas Beliauskas, who also has yet to play for the senior team, scored only 6 points as he struggled shooting the ball but dished out 6 assists with 2 steals - though he committed 4 turnovers.
While Lebanon do not have any other friendly games planned yet, Lithuania will face off against Slovenia twice - on June 23 in Vilnius and on June 25 in Stozice, Slovenia.
FIBA