BELGRADE, Serbia— Lietuvos Rytas have suffered a heavy loss at the hands of Partizan Belgrade, making their chances of qualifying for the round of 16 daunting.

It was the second time the two teams have met in the tournament to date. On the  previous occasion, playing at home, Lietuvos Rytas made light work of disposing of Partizan 78-56.

Blowout exchange

Such an imposing result was never going to be an option on the return-leg in Partizan but most had still expected Lietuvos Rytas to pull through. However, in the knowledge that victory would book their place in the next round, Partizan came out with all pistols firing, easily disposing of their guests 97-67.

Partzan started off the better of the two teams, developing a strong 8-point (26-18) lead by the end of the first-quarter. It was a lead that they continued to build on in the second period, meaning Lietuvos Rytas would go into the second-half trying to make up an 11-point deficit.

However the best Lietuvos Rytas could muster was assuring that the lead did not grow any larger, matching their hosts throughout the third-quarter. This still left them with an 11-point deficit to overcome in the final period, a large, but achievable feat.

Partizan proved however that they were not going to relinquish, saving their best basketball for the final-quarter when they completely demoralized the Lithuanians 25-6 to stretch the final margin out to 30.

Down to one game

A win in their final pool game will assure that Lietuvos Rytas will advance as the fourth qualifiers in their group, but this is easier said than done, as they come against Unicaja, who will carry a superior 6-2 record into the game. Efes Pilsen from Turkey can still qualify ahead of Lietuvos Rytas if they secure victory in their final game, something that looks more likely than Lietuvos Rytas victory, given to that fact that they will come up against the lowly Olympiacos who are dwelling at the bottom of the group.