Ireland were beaten by Lithuania – one of the strongest sides in European basketball – 58-43 in last night’s European Championship qualifier at the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght.
Lithuania enjoyed an eight-point lead over the hosts after the first quarter (4-12) and followed it up with another impressive display in the second, leaving a gap of 18 points at the interval.
The visitor’s impressive display was largely down to the impressive shooting of powerful number 11, Kulboka, with Ireland’s Paul Gallagher shining for the ‘boys in green’ with 11 points.
Ireland produced a strong display in the third quarter, trailing by just a point in a battling 10-minute spell, but were still behind 19 points on the night.
Alain Tremblay’s side enjoyed a 14-10 advantage in the final quarter but it was too late for a comeback as Lithuania eased home.
Ireland face Greece this evening (tip-off 5.45pm) with hopes of progressing in the competition still very much alive.
