EUROBASKET 2011

Turning Point: Trailing 61-60 with seven minutes remaining, Lithuania held Great Britain to just two points over the next three minutes as they went on a 13-2 run to pull away.

Game Hero: Lithuania's Rimantas Kaukenas poured in 10 of his team-high 16 points in the final quarter.

Stats Don't Lie: Lithuania had 10 of their 16 turnovers in the third quarter when Great Britain took a 57-54 lead.

Tournament hosts Lithuania broke open a close game in the final quarter to beat Great Britain 80-69 in the last game of the opening day of EuroBasket action in Panevezys.

Chris Finch's side trailed 51-39 early in the third quarter but scored 10 unanswered points as part of a 18-3 run to go in front 57-54 with 10 minutes remaining.

The Brits still led 61-60 with seven minutes to go but they run out of steam.

Every fast-break and made shot triggered ovations and the beating of drums from the passionate fans wearing green and yellow inside the packed Panevezys Arena.

Lithuania held the visitors to just two points over the next three minutes and went on a 13-2 rampage to pull away.

Lithuania's Rimantas Kaukenas poured in 10 of his team-high 16 points in the final quarter while veteran Sarunas Jasikevicius finished with 13.

"We made a lot of mistakes and this is something we have to work on," said Kaukenas. "Great Britain is a very good team and they have good players.

"We had to work very hard for this win and we are just relieved to have started the tournament with a victory."

There were nine lead changes in the game and the contest was tied three times.

Lithuania made 10 of their 16 turnovers in the third quarter.

Great Britain's Luol Deng, who made his debut at the EuroBasket after missing the tournament two years ago, had a game-high 25 points and pulled down 10 rebounds.