AUCKLAND (FIBA U19 World Championship) - Lithuania have avenged their loss at the 2008 U18 European Championship with a powerful last quarter to set up a 85-70 victory over Greece at ASB Stadium in Auckland.

The Greeks led by 2 at three quarter time but a dominant 27-10 final quarter, where Greece had no answer for Lithuania’s offensive efficiency or inspired defence, saw Lithuania emerge victorious with first place in Group A.

The first three quarter were a toe-to-to affair, with Lithuania leading by just one basket at each change, 19-17 at quarter time and 40-37 at the half and 60-58 at the last change.

Lithuania’s superior shooting told in the end though, shooting 51% from the field to 33% for Greece. Lithuania also dominated the boards, pulling fdown 45 rebounds to 30.

Donatas Motiejunas the star with 23 points in the first half. He would finish with 28 points on 11/17 shooting, 15 rebounds and 7 assists in a dominant performance. Gediminas Orelik scored 20 points and Tautvydas Julius Slezas scored 10 and grabbed 9 rebounds.

For Greece, Kostas Sloukas and Evangelos Mantzaris both scored 14 points, and Kostas Papanikolaou scored 13 points.

The result sees Greece drop to third in Group A, and they, Puerto Rico and Lithuania will now move to Group E and play Egypt, France and the USA on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

FIBA