Lithuania Come Good Late To Win

Marina Solopova poured in 19 points for Lithuania.

Lithuania bounced back from their setback to Slovenia by downing the Slovak Republic 78-64 on Wednesday.

In the Group C encounter played in Kaunas, Sandra Linkeviciene had 21 points to pace the Baltic side.

The Slovakians have looked strong at times this season and they gave Algirdas Paulauskas' side fits for three quarters.

The visitors' biggest lead came midway through the third frame when center Romana Vynuchalova buried a jumper to make it 45-41.

Lithuania came back, though, and 22-year-old small forward Kamile Nacickaite struck from behind the arc at the end of the third quarter to give the hosts a 54-51 lead.

The home side scored the first four points of the last quarter for a 58-51 advantage and Slovakia got no closer than four points the rest of the contest.

Marina Solopova finished with 19 points and Gintare Petronyte 17 for Lithuania.

The Slovakians missed all eight of their attempts from behind the arc.

Vynuchalova finished with 13 points and eight rebounds in defeat.

Quotes Lithuania vs. Slovak Republic

Slovakia coach  Ivan Vojtko:
"We were a better team for three quarters. We could have led by 10 points, but they shot many free throws and didn't let us gain a larger advantage. We could have had an equal game untill the end, but my players stopped playing in the fourth quarter and we lost by 14 points."

Slovakia player Erin Lawless:
"We did really good job in the first half, but we broke down on defence too much in the second half. We did not guard their shooters what we were supposed to do. We hope to play better in the next game and we will definitely do this. It is only the second game for us so there are much more games left."

Lithuania coach Algirdas Paulauskas:
"We are happy to win this game by 14 points. It's a miracle when you make so many mistakes and let the opponent win so many rebounds under your basket. We won the game because our main players stayed focussed until the end and showed all what they can do."

Lithuania player Marina Solopova:
"We played very well and fought until the end. We wanted to get a win after the previous lost match and did what we had to. We have to forget this game now and get ready for the game with Belgium."