Lietuvos Rytas stunned Panathinaikos with a 68-67 score at the Olympic Sports Hall on Wednesday
and put the Greek champions future in the Euroleague in doubt.The Greens had huge problems in attack and seemed disorientated at times as they were strangled by the Lithuanian defence.
Such was the problem for the Greeks that they could not even score from the 6.75-metre line, making just two out 16 three-pointers.
Lietuvos Rytas, who had also upset Caja Laboral in Spain three weeks ago, led 23-20 after the first period, but Panathinaikos were the better team in the second, closing the first half with a five-point advantage (39-34).
The visitors tightened up their defence in the second half, with the third period closing at 53-48, and staged their full comeback in the last period, led by impressive Brad Newley who scored 16 points.
Nervous Panathinaikos had Mike Batiste as their top scorer with just 11 points, while Drew Nicholas had 10, but no three-pointers in five attempts.
The Greens now depend on the other results of the group to see whether they can hold on to the top spot of their group, or indeed get a ticket to the knockout stages of the Euroleague.
On Tuesday Aris beat Budivelnik 78-73 in Kiev for the Eurocup to become the favourite for a spot in the next round.
Despite trailing by up to 15 points 42-27 in Ukraine the Thessaloniki side were impressive in the second half and scored a precious win, the first under new coach Lefteris Subotic.
In Italy Panellinios lost 84-71 at Caserta for their fifth loss in as many games in the second group stage of the Eurocup.
source: SPORTINGREECE
