Jokubauskas Explodes as Lithuania Downs Israel
Gabrielius Jokubauskas delivered an offensive masterclass, scoring 31 points to spearhead Lithuania's 95-79 triumph over Israel at the FIBA U20 EuroBasket.
Trailing 39-41 at halftime, Lithuania ignited a decisive run, outscoring Israel 30-18 in the third quarter to build a 69-59 advantage entering the final period. The Lithuanians showcased impressive shooting, hitting 14 of 33 three-pointers (42%), and controlled the glass with a commanding 47-39 rebounding edge. Crucially, their bench provided a substantial 34 points compared to Israel's 23.
While Jokubauskas dominated scoring, Mantas Juzenas was a force on the boards with 20 rebounds and dished out 6 assists, complemented by Dominykas Grunkis' 18 points and 6 assists. For Israel, Yonatan Keller and Oren Sahar led the scoring with 16 points apiece, with Sahar also contributing 8 assists.
This commanding second-half performance serves as a significant statement for Lithuania, highlighting their resilience and offensive firepower within the tournament.