U18 Next Generation Team Belgrade secured its second straight victory at the Euroleague Basketball Adidas Next Generation Tournament Belgrade by knocking off U18 Lietkabelis Panevezys 73-90 in Group B. NGB, which is making its debut in this event, reeled off 13 straight fourth quarter points to finish group play with a 2-1 record. David Pavin and Zinedin Mulic both scored 18 points pace five NGB players in double figures. Luka Krajnovic had 14 points and 7 assists, Filip Jovic picked up 13 points and Samet Yigitoglu chipped in 11 points and 12 rebounds. Tournament debutant Lietkabelis dropped to 0-3 and will face off against U18 Partizan NIS Belgrade for 7th place on Sunday. Arunas Rimkus led Lietkabelis with 19 points, Rokas Jocys added 18 points and 8 assists and Kajus Leliukas tallied 13 points, 9 rebounds and 3 blocks.

NGB took the first mini-lead at 5-9 after five straight points from Eray Buyukcangaz. Rytis Sakitis and Kristupas Keinys hit three-pointers to put Lietkabelis ahead 13-11, and a Jocys triple made it 20-14. The score was 20-16 after 10 minutes. Yigitoglu scored six points early in the second quarter to get the gap down to one point and Krajnovic’s three-pointer evened the game 28-28. Jocys answered at the other end with two three-pointers and two jumpers to keep NGB at bay and his side ahead 41-35 at intermission.

NGB had the stronger start to the second half with a 4-13 run to pull ahead 47-50. Four points from Pavin had the selection team up 51-56. Nojus Lebskas and Rimkus both hit three-pointers and the game was tied 59-59 after 30 minutes. Lietkabelis failed to score for the first 2 minutes of the final frame but led 63-62 and Lebskas’ three-pointer evened the game 66-66. NGB’s wealth of shot-makers paid off with Mulic hitting two three-pointers and Pavin knocking down one triple in a 0-13 run in just 1:59 minutes to lead 66-79 with less than 4 minutes to play. It wasn’t closer than eight points the rest of the game.