By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Rytas Vilnius started the game on a high note in the Enerbox Arena, entering the second quarter leading by 17 points. But this was Bnei Herzliya’s night, with the hosts getting the 90-85 win in a very tough encounter.
Julian Gamble, who recently joined the team replacing Robert Carter, was impressive in his 2022-23 Basketball Champions League debut: the former Virtus Bologna center had 24 points and 5 rebounds, shooting 8/10 both from the field and from the free-throw line.
Maurice Kemp, who erupted for 24 points and 11 rebounds in his first BCL game with the Israeli team, had 23 points against the Lithuanian side. Chris Babb added 20 points.
For the losing side Marcus Foster, who ended the game with 24 points and 8 assists, has now scored more than 20 points in nine of his 22 games in the BCL.
The American scorer got some help from Martynas Echodas (16 p., 6 r.), who returned to Rytas Vilnius during the summer after a disappointing experience with Reyer Venice.
Rytas Vilnius has now lost their last four games in the BCL and they have lost consecutive games in the competition for the first time ever. Also, eight of their last 10 defeats in the BCL came while playing on the road.
Giedrius Zibenas’ team is now last in Group H with a 0-2 record, while the Israeli side redeem itself and joined Lenovo Tenerife with a 1-1 record, after Peristeri’s surprising win.
PHOTO CREDIT: Basketball Champions League