TUCSON, Ariz. (KVOA) — Arizona men’s basketball won two of its three games in Lithuania, including Saturday’s 88-74 victory over the Lithuanian National Team.
Ivan Kharchenkov led the Wildcats in scoring in each of the three games, posting his best shooting performance of 30 points in the series finale.
The trip also served as a homecoming for Motiejus Krivas and Ugnius Jarusevicius, two Lithuanian-born players who seized the opportunity to play in front of dozens of family members and friends for the first time since moving to the United States.
The Wildcats’ last game of the trip was just 10 minutes away from Jarusevicius’ home town.
“We came out with different energy, and it led to a win,” Jarusevicius said. “I think we played well today.”
The senior appeared in just one game at Nebraska last season due to recurring back injuries. Now on his fourth different college basketball team, Jarusevicius appeared to be back to full strength.
“I’m proud of him,” said Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd. “Maybe people back here forgot about him a little bit, and maybe he needed to come back here to rebuild his confidence. To come back here and do it is pretty special.”
The Wildcats returned to Tucson on Sunday.