Rytas Vilnius vs Esenler Erokspor: Rytas Rolls to 104-87 Win in Club Friendship

Rytas Vilnius put on an offensive clinic in Club Friendship play, defeating Esenler Erokspor 104-87 on September 13, 2026. The Lithuanian powerhouse used a balanced scoring attack and a dominant third quarter to pull away from the Turkish side, securing a comfortable victory in the international club friendly competition.

Match Overview

From the opening tip, Rytas Vilnius established control with crisp ball movement and relentless pace. They shot 54% from the field, including 14 three-pointers, and never trailed after the first five minutes. Esenler Erokspor hung around early behind hot shooting from beyond the arc, but Rytas's depth and defensive pressure eventually wore them down. The victory improves Rytas's record in the Club Friendship series and extends their unbeaten run in preseason-style competition.

How Rytas Vilnius Took Control

Rytas Vilnius came out firing, hitting five of their first seven three-point attempts to build a 28-20 lead after one quarter. The second quarter was more balanced, but Rytas's ability to force turnovers and convert them into transition points kept Esenler Erokspor at arm's length. The decisive blow came in the third quarter, when Rytas opened with a 15-4 run that turned a 53-42 halftime lead into a 68-46 advantage. Esenler Erokspor never recovered.

Rytas's interior defense was particularly impressive, holding Esenler Erokspor to 38 points in the paint. The Lithuanian side also dominated the rebounding battle 44-33, limiting second-chance opportunities and controlling the tempo of the game.

Key Moments

• First quarter: Rytas hit four three-pointers in the first six minutes, forcing Esenler to call an early timeout.
• Second quarter: Esenler's Kerem Aydın scored 10 straight points to cut the deficit to eight, but Rytas closed the half on a 7-2 run.
• Third quarter: The 15-4 opening run broke the game open, with Gytis Radzevičius scoring 9 points during the stretch.
• Fourth quarter: Rytas emptied the bench with five minutes left, and Esenler trimmed the final margin with a late 12-4 run against the reserves.

Standout Performers

Rytas Vilnius: Gytis Radzevičius led the way with 24 points (9/15 FG, 4/6 3PT), 7 rebounds, and 5 assists. Tomas Dimša added 19 points and 6 assists, while Laurynas Beliauskas contributed 16 points and 8 rebounds. Center Martynas Echodas controlled the paint with 12 points and 11 rebounds.

Esenler Erokspor: Kerem Aydın scored 21 points and grabbed 5 rebounds. Emre Yılmaz added 17 points, and Mert Çelik chipped in 14 points off the bench. The Turkish side shot just 41% from the field and struggled to contain Rytas's perimeter attack.

Club Friendship Implications

With the win, Rytas Vilnius strengthens their position atop the Club Friendship standings and sends a clear message to the rest of the competition. Their blend of veteran leadership and young athleticism makes them a formidable opponent. For Esenler Erokspor, the loss highlights areas to address defensively, but their late-game fight showed character. Both teams will continue their Club Friendship schedules later in the week.