Group A: Fans carry Rytas to 2-1; Polish champs win in Germany

MIES (Switzerland) - The third Tuesday of action in Season X of the Basketball Champions League, powered by Ameresco SUNEL didn't disappoint. Wednesday had to follow accordingly.

While Rytas Vilnius took down Promitheas Patras BC Vikos Cola pushed by their beloved fans, Legia Warszawa managed to stop their losing streak in the BCL Regular Season. How? Let's find out.

Rytas Vilnius 98-79 Promitheas Patras BC Vikos Cola

The previous two encounters between Rytas and Promitheas saw the home team always coming on top, and guess what? The tendency confirms, with the Lithuanians enjoying a 98-79 win in front of packed stands.

Playing at home keeps on being a factor for Giedrius Zibenas' team, which have now won 11 of their last 13 home games in the BCL. Their only defeats in this span happened against Unicaja and Peristeri.

On the other side, Promitheas had their first defeat in Group A after two consecutive victories.

Still without Jerrick Harding, Vilnius' powerhouse was propelled by their other American exciting guard, former Promitheas standout player Jordan Walker, who had 14 points and 6 assists in the win.

With the Greeks, Walker set the all-time best scoring performance in BCL history with 54 points against Fitness First Würzburg Baskets in the 2024-25 season.

Arturas Gudaitis had 19 points and 7 rebounds in the victory, while Gytis Masiulis contributed to his team's victory with a double-double of 11 points and 11 rebounds.

After collecting 7 points over his first two games, Kendal Coleman had an 18-point losing effort. Kendale McCullum and Rob Gray combined for 33 points in the loss.

"Today, one of the main reasons was that we controlled the boards, especially the offensive glass. Also we controlled McCullum, his creation. I think it was the big thing to do that because he's their passer. We did a good job to frustrate them," Gudaitis said.

Overall, Rytas (7-of-19) were way better than Promitheas (2-of-17) in three-point shooting, while also outrebounding the black-and-orange side 39-21.

MLP Academics Heidelberg 67-74 Legia Warszawa

Some teams just perform better on the road, and Legia are one of them.

Their only previous victory over eight games happened away from home, and they did it again in Germany, beating MLP Academics Heidelberg 74-67 in the SNP Dome. Legia are winless no more.

Jayvon Graves combined 8 points over two games against the Germans in the 2023-24 season, but erupted for 19 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 steals in Wednesday's win.

Ojars Silins (17 points over 5-of-10 from deep and 5 rebounds) and Carl Ponsar (13 points and 6 rebounds) also contributed to the Polish team's victory.

The Weathers were among the best for Heidelberg in the defeat: Marcus had a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds, while Michael finished with 17 points and 4 assists.

After scoring at least 20 points in each of his first two BCL appearances, DJ Horne had 8 points over 0-of-5 from beyond the arc.

"The defensive parts we really stuck to the plan, we knew their star players are their most dangerous players for them. We had a plan to make it tough for them and we did a good job," Legia coach Heiko Rannula explained.