The games are now more important than at the beginning of the Regular Season. We may still expect few shocking results in upcoming 3 rounds. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.
Ninth ranked Marijampoles (8-11) beat at home 10th ranked Perkunas (4-13) by 13 points 99-86, which is the biggest margin this round on Tuesday night. The hosts trailed by 6 points at the halftime before their 50-31 charge in the second half, which allowed them to win the game. Marijampoles dominated down low during the game scoring 68 of its points in the paint compared to Perkunas‘ 42. Marijampoles forced 20 Perkunas turnovers and outrebounded them 59-48 including 23 on the offensive glass. Marijampoles looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists. Worth to mention a quality performance of power forward Gabrielius Bubnys (199-2007) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 33 points (!!!), 13 rebounds and 8 assists and swingman Meinardas Dumcius (190-2007) who added 18 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists during the contest. Marijampoles’ coach Kestutis Juozaitis used an eleven-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. point guard Martynas Barzdaitis (174-2007) responded with a double-double by scoring 34 points (!!!), 17 rebounds and 5 assists. Marijampoles maintains ninth position with 8-11 record. Perkunas lost eighth consecutive game. They keep the tenth place with 13 games lost. Marijampoles are looking forward to face higher ranked Zalgiris (#7) in Kaunas in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Perkunas will play at home against Panevezio and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Vilniaus: VKKM (#5) and SKM II (#11). Despite it looked like an easy game for VKKM, those rules do not exist in derby games. It’s more the case of honor for local supporters and such games have that special and unique approach you cannot find in other games. Guest SKM II challenged much higher ranked VKKM giving them a very tough game, but finally losing it by six points 91-85. The winners were led by guard Simas Sarakauskas (185-2007) who had that evening a triple-double by scoring 19 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists and Nikita Cikunov supported him with 22 points and 9 rebounds. Even 22 points and 5 rebounds by guard Joris Janulevicius (178-2007) did not help to save the game for SKM II. VKKM (12-6) moved-up to fourth place. SKM II at the other side keeps the eleventh position with 15 games lost. VKKM will play against Saule (#8) in Siauliai in the next round. SKM II will play on the road against Zalgiris II in Kaunas and hopes to get back on the winning track.
In the last game of round 20 Saule won against Panevezio on the opponent’s court 81-68.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 28 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists by Erik Novikov of Saule.
VKKM – SKM II 91-85
Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Vilniaus: VKKM (#5) and SKM II (#11). Despite it looked like an easy game for VKKM, those rules do not exist in derby games. It’s more the case of honor for local supporters and such games have that special and unique approach you cannot find in other games. Guest SKM II challenged much higher ranked VKKM giving them a very tough game, but finally losing it by six points 91-85. SKM II was ahead by 2 points at the halftime before a 29-18 third quarter run of VKKM. They made 26-of-32 charity shots (81.3 percent) during the game. VKKM outrebounded SKM II 44-31 including 32 on the defensive glass. The winners were led by guard Simas Sarakauskas (185-2007) who had that evening a triple-double by scoring 19 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists and point guard Nikita Cikunov (184-2007) supported him with 22 points and 9 rebounds. Even 22 points and 5 rebounds by guard Joris Janulevicius (178-2007) did not help to save the game for SKM II. Guard Mykolas Benetis (188-2007) added 17 points and 4 assists for the guests. Five VKKM and four SKM II players scored in double figures. VKKM (12-6) moved-up to fourth place. SKM II at the other side keeps the eleventh position with 15 games lost. VKKM will play against Saule (#8) in Siauliai in the next round. SKM II will play on the road against Zalgiris II in Kaunas and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
SKM II: J.Janulevicius 22+5reb, M.Benetis 17+4reb+4ast, N.Paulauskas 13+2reb+3ast, A.Marcinkus 10+4reb+2ast, R.Naujokas 7+2reb+5ast, M.Srebalius 6+8reb+4ast
VKKM: N.Cikunov 22+9reb+1ast, S.Sarakauskas 19+11reb+10ast, A.Vaistaras 18+4reb+3ast, T.Rinkevicius 12+8reb+2ast, S.Jablonskis 12+3reb+1ast, N.Vitosis 8+5reb+2ast
gschID: 1213151
Marijampoles – Perkunas 99-86
Ninth ranked Marijampoles (8-11) beat at home 10th ranked Perkunas (4-13) by 13 points 99-86, which is the biggest margin this round on Tuesday night. The hosts trailed by 6 points at the halftime before their 50-31 charge in the second half, which allowed them to win the game. Marijampoles dominated down low during the game scoring 68 of its points in the paint compared to Perkunas‘ 42. Marijampoles forced 20 Perkunas turnovers and outrebounded them 59-48 including 23 on the offensive glass. Marijampoles looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists. Worth to mention a quality performance of power forward Gabrielius Bubnys (199-2007) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 33 points (!!!), 13 rebounds and 8 assists and swingman Meinardas Dumcius (190-2007) who added 18 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists during the contest. Five Marijampoles players scored in double figures. Marijampoles’ coach Kestutis Juozaitis used an eleven-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Point guard Martynas Barzdaitis (174-2007) responded with a double-double by scoring 34 points (!!!), 17 rebounds and 5 assists and swingman Kajus Gerdziunas (198-2007) scored 9 points, 15 rebounds, 9 assists and 4 steals. Marijampoles maintains ninth position with 8-11 record. Perkunas lost eighth consecutive game. They keep the tenth place with 13 games lost. Marijampoles are looking forward to face higher ranked Zalgiris (#7) in Kaunas in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Perkunas will play at home against Panevezio and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Perkunas: M.Barzdaitis 34+17reb+5ast, J.Vysniauskas 18+3reb, N.Petrauskas 11+4reb, K.Gerdziunas 9+15reb+9ast, R.Pieskys 6+1reb, J.Satas 4+4reb
Marijampoles: G.Bubnys 33+13reb+8ast, M.Dumcius 18+6reb+4ast, L.Dedelis 12+2reb+1ast, J.Grigas 10+6reb+5ast, A.Juozaitis 10+13reb+3ast, V.Jakimcikas 7+6reb+1ast
gschID: 1213152
Panevezio – Saule 68-81
Very expected game when 12th ranked Panevezio (1-18) was defeated at home by eighth ranked Saule (8-8) 81-68. The game without a history. Saule led from the first minutes and controlled entire game increasing their lead in each quarter. Saule outrebounded Panevezio 41-25 including a 32-20 advantage in defensive rebounds. Saule players were unselfish on offense dishing 23 assists. The winners were led by Erik Novikov (-2007) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 28 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists and Domantas Brazaitis (-2007) supported him with 13 points and 5 rebounds. Even a double-double of 17 points and 12 rebounds by Arnas Liandzbergas (-2007) did not help to save the game for Panevezio. Laurynas Virkstis (-2007) added 15 points for the hosts. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Saule maintains eighth position with 8-8 record. Panevezio lost thirteenth consecutive game. They stay dead last with 18 lost games. Saule will play against higher ranked VKKM (#4) in Vilniaus in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Panevezio will play on the road against Perkunas (#10) in Kaunas and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Panevezio: A.Liandzbergas 17+12reb+1ast, T.Katauskas 15+1reb+1ast, L.Virkstis 15+2reb+2ast, J.Kadziulis 9+6ast, D.Virkstis 8+3reb+5ast, R.Breive 2+1reb
Saule: E.Novikov 28+11reb+5ast, D.Brazaitis 13+5reb+1ast, A.Trofimov 12+6reb+1ast, S.Lauzadis 8+7reb+1ast, G.Dembinskis 7+2reb+7ast, L.Jasaitis 6+2reb+1ast
gschID: 1213154
