By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Rytas Vilnius grabbed a much-needed 77-75 win over Promitheas thanks to R.J. Cole’s heroics in the final moments of the game.
Firstly, he scored a layup to tie the teams at 75 with 39 seconds on the clock, and then, after a powerful drive, made a go-ahead layup with three seconds to go. Jaime Echenique was blocked on a game-tying shot at the buzzer, and Rytas emerged victorious.
Tonight’s hero of Vilnius, Cole, finished the match with 16 points, five rebounds, and five assists for a PIR of 17.
🧊 𝗖𝗢𝗟𝗘 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗟𝗗: The Game-Winning Story 🧊#BasketballCL I @RytasVilnius x @rjuice_ pic.twitter.com/u6X9d4davw
— Basketball Champions League (@BasketballCL) November 29, 2023
Margiris Normantas was actually the MVP of the winning side with 16 points and a PIR of 19, while Gytis Masiulis added 12, and Gytis Radzevicius had 10 points. Justin Gorham had six points but grabbed 11 rebounds and a last-second block to defend Rytas’ lead at the buzzer.
Chris Coffey led Promitheas with 19 points, while Jaime Echenique followed him with 15. Two more players finished in double digits, with Anthony Cowan and Arturs Kurucs scoring 10 points each.
Rytas stopped Dijon from securing one of the first two spots and is now tied with Promitheas at 2-2 in Group B after consecutive victories.
Postgame press conference
Photo: fiba.basketball