Lithuania Defeats Austria at Euro Championships
Jul 21 | Men's Basketball
BILBAO, SPAIN - The Lithuania U20 National Team defeated Austria 91-68 on Wednesday in the classification round of the 2011 FIBA European Championships. Rutgers rising sophomore forward Gilvydas Biruta (Jonava, Lithuania) had two rebounds in the victory.
Lithuania trailed 44-40 at the half, but responded with a 24-15 third quarter and a 27-9 final stanza to win going away. Lithuania shot a solid 49.2 percent (32-65), while limiting Austria to 38.6 percent (27-70) from the field. Lithuania also benefitted from a 48-36 rebounding advantage.
Lithuania entered the European Championships on the heels of a victory over the United States U19 National Team and a 3-0 record to win the Torneo Internacional de Barakaldo, which included U20 wins over Italy, Montenegro and Spain, all of which advanced to the qualifying round of the Euro Championships. After defeating eventual Group D first place finisher Italy once again in its Championship opener, Lithuania had dropped four straight before defeating Austria.
Lithuania returns to the hardwood on Friday to meet Serbia.
For additional information on the Championships visit http://u20men.fibaeurope.com/en/default.asp.
