Rytas cruise past Tigers
Rytas beat RSSB Tigers 107:89 in the Intercontinental Cup on 22 September 2026. The Lithuanian side controlled the game from start to finish, never allowing the visitors any real chance. It was a comfortable win that reflected the gap between the two squads.
What stood out was the rebounding. Rytas pulled down 48 boards compared to the Tigers' 24 — double the total. That advantage gave them far more possessions and kept the pressure constant. The Tigers simply couldn't get second chances.
Team play told the story too. Rytas recorded 23 assists against 15 for the visitors. They moved the ball well, found open men, and punished the defense accordingly. The Tigers relied more on individual effort and it didn't come close to matching.
Shot selection mattered as well. Rytas attempted 71 field goals and made 36, while the Tigers went for 72 and hit 31. Both sides tried their luck from distance, but Rytas were sharper — 16 of 38 three-pointers against 12 of 40.
The defensive presence was another factor. Rytas blocked four shots and forced ten turnovers, while the Tigers contributed two blocks and seven steals. It wasn't about aggression alone; it was about being in the right place at the right time.
Looking at recent form, Rytas have had mixed results — losses to Juventus Utena and Gargždai, but also a convincing win over Nėvėžis-Optibet Kėdainiai. The Tigers have shown they can compete, beating Al-Ahli and FUS Rabat, but they haven't quite found consistency.
This result puts Rytas in a strong position in the tournament. They have the deeper squad and the better team structure. The Tigers will need to tighten things up if they want to go further.
