BY MIKE MARZOLF

Special to the Tribune

It looked like a blowout for most of the contest. In the end, the Lithuania men’s basketball team had to hold off the host nation Brazil to open the 2016 Olympics with a win in Group B play.

Lithuania and former Barton Cougar Antanas Kavaliauskas saw a 30-point lead disappear but did survive with an 82-76 to open group play at 1-0.

Kavaliauskas played nine minutes in the win, going 2-for-2 from the field and 2-for-2 from the free throw line for six points. He added four rebounds and an assist to the cause as well.

In other action in Group B play, Croatia upset the group favorite Spain by a 72-70 score while Argentina rolled past Nigeria, 94-66. 

Next action for Kavaliauskas and Lithuania will be tonight at 5 pm against Nigeria. 

Remaining former Barton Cougars’Schedule

Men’s Basketball 

Antanas Kavaliauskas, Lithuania

Aug. 9 Lithuania v Nigeria, 5 pm

Aug. 11 Lithuania v Argentina, 8:30 pm

Aug. 13 Lithuania v Spain, 5 pm

Aug. 15 Lithuania v Croatia, 8:30 pm

Track and Field

Men’s 100m 

Akeem Haynes, Canada

Aug. 13 – Prelims, Round 2

Aug. 14 – Semifinals and Finals

Men’s Triple Jump

Leevan Sands, Bahamas

Aug. 15 – Heats

Aug. 16 – Finals

Women’s 200m

Veronica Campbell-Brown, Simone Facey, Jamaica; Laverne Jones-Ferrette, Virgin Islands

Aug. 15 – Heats

Aug. 16 – Semifinals

Aug. 17 – Finals

Men’s 200m

Alonso Edward, Panama

Aug. 16 – Heats

Aug. 17 – Semifinals

Aug. 18 – Finals

Men’s 4x100m relay

Tyson Gay, USA; Akeem Haynes, Canada

Aug. 18 – Heats

Aug. 19 – Finals

Women’s 4x100m relay

Veronica Campbell-Brown, Simone Facey, Jamaica

Aug. 18 – Heats

Aug. 19 – Finals