Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.
The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Telsiai as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Telsiai defeated 11th ranked Stekas at home 68-62. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Stekas. It was a great evening for the former international guard Martynas Gecevicius (193-1988) who led his team to a victory scoring 14 points and 5 assists. Center Lukas Valantinas (205-2001) helped adding 14 points and 5 rebounds. The former international power forward Vaidas Cepukaitis (207-1989, agency: Interperformances) responded with 8 points and 13 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Telsiai have a solid series of four victories in a row. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. Stekas at the other side keeps the eleventh place with 14 games lost. They share the position with Alytus. Stekas will play next round against Kretinga trying to get back on the winning streak. Telsiai will try to continue on its current victory against fourth ranked Omega-Tauras in Kaunas.
Very important is a home loss of second ranked Jurbarkas (16-6) against seventh ranked Neptunas-Akv. (14-9) on Friday night. Host Jurbarkas was defeated by Neptunas-Akv. in Jurbarkas 95-84. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Jurbarkas. It was an exceptional evening for Klaidas Metrikis (204-2000) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 25 points and 12 rebounds. Ernestas Jonkus accounted for 23 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists. Paulius Beliavicius (196-1988) came up with 28 points for Jurbarkas in the defeat. Neptunas-Akv. have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Vilkaviskis. Jurbarkas at the other side keeps the second position with six games lost. Neptunas-Akv. will play against Zalgiris II (#9) in Kaunas in the next round. Jurbarkas will play on the road against Delikatesas (#16) in Joniskis and hopes to get back on the winning track.
The game in Kaunas was also quite interesting. Fifth ranked Vytis (14-8) played at the court of 8th ranked Zalgiris II (12-10). Vytis managed to secure a 5-point victory 84-79 on Tuesday. The best player for the winners was Gabrielius Celka who scored 20 points and 8 rebounds. Mantas Juzenas produced 13 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists for the hosts. Zalgiris II’s coach Rokas Kondratavicius rotated ten players in this game, but that didn’t help. Vytis moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Omega-Tauras. Loser Zalgiris II dropped to the ninth position with ten games lost. Vytis will meet at home P.Olimpas (#13) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Zalgiris II will play against Neptunas-Akv. (#7) in Klaipeda and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
There were no shocking results in the rest of the games of round 23: Suduva-Mantinga won against Alytus on the opponent’s court 83-76. Silute managed to outperform Rytas 2 in a home game 89-87. Bottom-ranked Delikatesas recorded a loss to Vilkaviskis on the road 95-86. Kretinga was defeated by Palanga on its own court 64-74. Omega-Tauras was beaten by P.Olimpas in Plunge 86-81. Alytus lost to Neptunas-Akv. at home 68-76. Jurbarkas managed to outperform Delikatesas on the opponent’s court 76-71.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 12 points and 11 rebounds by Ronaldas Rutkauskas of Delikatesas.
Alytus – Suduva-Mantinga 76-83
Rather expected game when 12th ranked Alytus (9-14) was defeated at home by ninth ranked Suduva-Mantinga (13-10) 83-76 on Thursday. The best player for the winners was guard Vytautas Sulskis (201-1988, college: YSU, agency: BIG) who had a double-double by scoring 15 points and 13 rebounds. Zygimantas Simonis (194-1995) chipped in 14 points and 8 rebounds. Five Suduva-Mantinga players scored in double figures. American point guard Malek Davis (180-2000, college: HSU, agency: Interperformances) produced 24 points and swingman Lukas Kazlauskas (188-1992) added 8 points, 5 rebounds and 9 assists respectively for the hosts. Suduva-Mantinga moved-up to eighth place. Alytus lost third consecutive game. Newly promoted team dropped to the eleventh position with 14 games lost. They share it with Stekas. Suduva-Mantinga will meet at home Silute (#10) in the next round. Alytus will play against Palanga and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Alytus: M.Davis 24+2reb+2ast, J.Balciunas 18+2reb+1ast, L.Kazlauskas 8+5reb+9ast, G.Bumblys 8+1reb, T.Miholjcic 7+9reb, M.Pocevicius 5+3reb+3ast
Suduva-Mantinga: T.Baltrusaitis 17+4reb+2ast, V.Sulskis 15+13reb+1ast, M.Valukonis 14+4reb+1ast, M.Zigmantavicius 14+5reb+2ast, Z.Simonis 14+8reb+3ast, D.Vilys 6+2reb+7ast
gschID: 1217038
Silute – Rytas 2 89-87
Rather predictable result when tenth ranked Silute (10-13) edged at home 13th ranked Rytas 2 (8-15) 89-87 on Thursday. Silute forced 21 Rytas 2 turnovers. The best player for the winners was American point guard Fred Cleveland Jr (175, college: NCCU) who scored 29 points and 6 assists. Forward Tomas Lekunas (200-1993) chipped in 9 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. Guard Arunas Rimkus (194-2004) produced 15 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists and swingman Arturas Vilutis (206-2005) added 14 points and 9 rebounds (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field) respectively for the guests. Four Silute and five Rytas 2 players scored in double figures. Rytas 2’s coach Gintaras Kadziulis rotated ten players in this game, but that didn’t help. Silute maintains tenth place with 10-13 record. Rytas 2 lost fourth consecutive game. They dropped to the fourteenth position with 15 games lost. Silute will meet higher ranked Suduva-Mantinga (#8) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Rytas 2 will play against Vilkaviskis (#6) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Rytas 2: I.Urbonas 17+5reb+2ast, A.Rimkus 15+5reb+5ast, A.Vilutis 14+9reb+1ast, N.Kuliesa 11+3reb+1ast, A.Lukosevicius 10+8reb, G.Jokubauskas 8+1reb+1ast
Silute: F.Cleveland Jr. 29+3reb+6ast, L.Balkunas 11+3ast, V.Prokopenko 11+3reb+1ast, D.Remeikis 11+2reb, N.Jankunas 10+7reb+2ast, T.Lekunas 9+5reb+6ast
gschID: 1217039
Telsiai – Stekas 68-62
The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Telsiai as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Telsiai defeated 11th ranked Stekas at home 68-62. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Stekas. It was a great evening for the former international guard Martynas Gecevicius (193-1988) who led his team to a victory scoring 14 points and 5 assists. Center Lukas Valantinas (205-2001) helped adding 14 points and 5 rebounds. The former international power forward Vaidas Cepukaitis (207-1989, agency: Interperformances) responded with 8 points and 13 rebounds and point guard Paulius Semaska (184-1993) scored 10 points and 5 assists. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Telsiai have a solid series of four victories in a row. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. Stekas at the other side keeps the eleventh place with 14 games lost. They share the position with Alytus. Stekas will play next round against Kretinga trying to get back on the winning streak. Telsiai will try to continue on its current victory against fourth ranked Omega-Tauras in Kaunas.
Top scorers:
Stekas: D.Tarvydas 11+2reb+4ast, M.Serksnas 10+2reb+1ast, P.Semaska 10+4reb+5ast, T.Rinkunas 9+2reb+1ast, V.Cepukaitis 8+13reb, K.Jonuska 5+2ast
Telsiai: M.Gecevicius 14+4reb+5ast, L.Valantinas 14+5reb+1ast, O.Kaminskis 9+5reb+4ast, N.Radzius 7+3reb, D.Rasys 7+4reb, G.Lesciauskas 6+3reb+4ast
gschID: 1217040
Vilkaviskis – Delikatesas 95-86
Not a big story in a game when 16th ranked Delikatesas (1-23) was defeated on the road by sixth ranked Vilkaviskis (14-9) 95-86 on Thursday. Vilkaviskis outrebounded Delikatesas 46-28 including a 22-6 advantage in offensive rebounds. The best player for the winners was Rokas Stankevicius (202-1995, agency: BIG) who scored 21 points and 8 rebounds. American guard Bryce McBride (188-2000, college: YSU) chipped in 24 points and 4 assists (was perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line). Tomas Balciunas (204-2000) produced a double-double by scoring 18 points and 11 rebounds and forward Rokas Norutis (195-2007, agency: Octagon Europe) added 17 points respectively for the guests. Four Delikatesas players scored in double figures. Vilkaviskis maintains sixth place with 14-9 record, which they share with Neptunas-Akv. Delikatesas lost tenth consecutive game. They stay dead last with 23 lost games. Vilkaviskis will meet Rytas 2 (#14) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Delikatesas will play against the league’s second-placed Jurbarkas and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Delikatesas: T.Balciunas 18+11reb+2ast, R.Norutis 17+1reb+2ast, K.Miller 15+2ast, V.Anisimov 12+3reb, D.Sarauskas 11+4reb+2ast, R.Rutkauskas 7+7reb+2ast
Vilkaviskis: B.McBride 24+2reb+4ast, R.Stankevicius 21+8reb+2ast, N.Vaivada 10+6reb+3ast, M.Zukauskas 9+4ast, G.Stankevicius 9+10reb+2ast, S.Reiley 8+7reb+2ast
gschID: 1217041
Zalgiris II – Vytis 79-84
The game in Kaunas was also quite interesting. Fifth ranked Vytis (14-8) played at the court of 8th ranked Zalgiris II (12-10). Vytis managed to secure a 5-point victory 84-79 on Tuesday. The best player for the winners was Gabrielius Celka (198-2001) who scored 20 points and 8 rebounds. Forward Kajus Leliukas (203-2004) chipped in a double-double by scoring 18 points and 11 rebounds. Four Vytis players scored in double figures. Forward Mantas Juzenas (199-2006) produced 13 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists and swingman Dovydas Buika (197-2007) added 13 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line) respectively for the hosts. Zalgiris II’s coach Rokas Kondratavicius rotated ten players in this game, but that didn’t help. Vytis moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Omega-Tauras. Loser Zalgiris II dropped to the ninth position with ten games lost. Vytis will meet at home P.Olimpas (#13) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Zalgiris II will play against Neptunas-Akv. (#7) in Klaipeda and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Zalgiris II: M.Juzenas 13+9reb+6ast, D.Buika 13+5reb+5ast, M.Bulanovas 11+3reb, J.Rudaitis 10+5reb+2ast, N.Raupelis 9+4reb+1ast, A.Bieliauskas 8+7reb
Vytis: G.Celka 20+8reb+2ast, J.Rubinas 19+4reb+4ast, K.Leliukas 18+11reb, A.Mikstas 15+11reb, P.Velutis 5, A.Adomavicius 5+4reb+2ast
gschID: 1217042
Jurbarkas – Neptunas-Akv. 84-95
Very important is a home loss of second ranked Jurbarkas (16-6) against seventh ranked Neptunas-Akv. (14-9) on Friday night. Host Jurbarkas was defeated by Neptunas-Akv. in Jurbarkas 95-84. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Jurbarkas. Jurbarkas was plagued by 26 personal fouls down the stretch. It was an exceptional evening for Klaidas Metrikis (204-2000) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 25 points and 12 rebounds. Guard Ernestas Jonkus (187-1999, agency: BIG) accounted for 23 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists for the winning side. Four Neptunas-Akv. players scored in double figures. Paulius Beliavicius (196-1988) came up with 28 points and swingman Gintautas Matulis (196-1986) added 20 points and 6 rebounds respectively for Jurbarkas in the defeat. Neptunas-Akv. have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Vilkaviskis. Jurbarkas at the other side keeps the second position with six games lost. Neptunas-Akv. will play against Zalgiris II (#9) in Kaunas in the next round. Jurbarkas will play on the road against Delikatesas (#16) in Joniskis and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Jurbarkas: P.Beliavicius 28+3reb+1ast, G.Matulis 20+6reb, P.Danisevicius 14+3reb+2ast, A.Kavaliauskas 9+4reb+2ast, K.Kokoska 8+6reb+1ast, J.Nausedas 3+11reb+3ast
Neptunas-Akv.: K.Metrikis 25+12reb+1ast, E.Jonkus 23+5reb+8ast, K.Rtail 12+10reb, K.Lesciauskas 11+1reb+1ast, R.Sakaitis 8+1reb, R.Maciulis 7+5reb+1ast
gschID: 1217043
Kretinga – Palanga 64-74
Everything went according to plan when third ranked Palanga (15-5) beat on the road 15th ranked Kretinga (7-16) 74-64 on Thursday. The best player for the winners was point guard Mindaugas Stasys (179-1986) who scored 26 points and 4 assists. Center Julius Jucikas (204-1989, agency: BIG) chipped in 15 points and 9 rebounds. Center Tadas Budrys (205-2002) produced a double-double by scoring 18 points and 13 rebounds and Canadian guard Jalen Warren (188-1999, college: UIC) added 12 points and 6 rebounds respectively for the hosts. Palanga have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain third place with 15-5 record having five points less than leader Telsiai. Loser Kretinga keeps the fifteenth position with 16 games lost. Palanga will meet at home Alytus (#12) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Kretinga will play against Stekas in Vilnius and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Kretinga: T.Budrys 18+13reb+3ast, J.Warren 12+6reb+3ast, K.Sapiega 12+6reb+1ast, E.Danys 9+4reb+1ast, J.Ziubrys 6+2reb+3ast, A.Urbonas 4+5reb+2ast
Palanga: M.Stasys 26+4reb+4ast, J.Jucikas 15+9reb+2ast, E.Bruzas 11+3ast, M.Ruikis 9+5reb+1ast, H.Kumpys 6+7reb+1ast, J.Kazakauskas 5+10reb+6ast
gschID: 1217044
P.Olimpas – Omega-Tauras 86-81
There was an upset in Plunge where 4th placed Omega-Tauras (14-8) was defeated by fourteenth ranked P.Olimpas (9-16) 86-81 on Thursday. The best player for the winners was American forward Taeshon Cherry (203-1999, college: Marian, IN, agency: Elevate Sports Alliance) who scored 17 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. His fellow American import swingman Jared Small (201-1997, college: CMU) chipped in 22 points and 5 rebounds. P.Olimpas’ coach Mindaugas Tamusauskas used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. Center Ignas Juskevicius (200-1991) produced a double-double by scoring 15 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists and the former international point guard Sarunas Vasiliauskas (188-1989) added 21 points and 6 assists respectively for the guests. Four Omega-Tauras players scored in double figures. P.Olimpas moved-up to thirteenth place. Omega-Tauras at the other side, also newcomer in the league, keeps the fourth position with eight games lost. They share it with Vytis. P.Olimpas will meet higher ranked Vytis (#5) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Omega-Tauras will play against the league’s leader Telsiai and will have a slim chance for a victory.
Top scorers:
Omega-Tauras: S.Vasiliauskas 21+3reb+6ast, P.Karasov 16+7reb+1ast, I.Juskevicius 15+14reb+4ast, T.Galeckas 14+2reb+1ast, L.Krivickas 5+1reb+2ast, K.Vizgirdas 4+1reb
P.Olimpas: J.Small 22+5reb+1ast, T.Cherry 17+7reb+5ast, R.Kreismontas 10+1reb+2ast, T.Kymantas 8+2reb+4ast, V.Daniels 8+3reb+2ast, M.Jurkaitis 7+1reb+4ast
gschID: 1217045
Alytus – Neptunas-Akv. 68-76
No shocking result in a game when seventh ranked Neptunas-Akv. (14-9) won against on the road 12th ranked Alytus (9-14) 76-68 on Tuesday. The best player for the winners was Klaidas Metrikis (204-2000) who scored 21 points and 8 rebounds. Guard Radvilas Kneizys (193-2003, college: Panola JC) chipped in 15 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Neptunas-Akv.’s coach Simonas Serapinas used a ten-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. Serbian power forward Tomislav Miholjcic (211-1999, college: HSU) produced a double-double by scoring 11 points and 15 rebounds and swingman Lukas Kazlauskas (188-1992) added 13 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists respectively for the hosts. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Neptunas-Akv. have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Vilkaviskis. Alytus lost third consecutive game. Newly promoted team dropped to the eleventh position with 14 games lost. They share it with Stekas. Neptunas-Akv. will meet at home Zalgiris II (#9) in the next round. Alytus will play against Palanga and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Alytus: J.Balciunas 14+3reb+5ast, L.Kazlauskas 13+7reb+5ast, G.Bumblys 12+7reb, T.Miholjcic 11+15reb+1ast, M.Pocevicius 7+1reb, A.Siumbrys 6+3reb
Neptunas-Akv.: K.Metrikis 21+8reb, R.Kneizys 15+5reb+5ast, K.Lesciauskas 14+2reb, R.Maciulis 12+7reb+1ast, E.Jonkus 4+1reb+6ast, K.Rtail 4+6reb+1ast
gschID: 1244824
Delikatesas – Jurbarkas 71-76
Very expected game in Joniskis where 16th ranked Delikatesas (1-23) was defeated by second ranked Jurbarkas (16-6) 76-71 on Tuesday. Jurbarkas made 19-of-21 free shots (90.5 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was Paulius Beliavicius (196-1988) who scored 26 points and 4 steals (was perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line). Karolis Kokoska (196-1992) chipped in 13 points and 8 rebounds. Jurbarkas’ coach Povilas Valaitis used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. American Donnell Cegers (197-1993, college: NMU) produced 20 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists and Tomas Balciunas (204-2000) added 20 points and 7 rebounds respectively for the hosts. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Jurbarkas maintains second place with 16-6 record behind leader Telsiai. Delikatesas lost tenth consecutive game. They stay dead last with 23 lost games. Jurbarkas will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Delikatesas will play again against the league’s second-placed Jurbarkas (#2) and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Delikatesas: T.Balciunas 20+7reb+2ast, D.Cegers 20+5reb+6ast, R.Rutkauskas 12+11reb+1ast, K.Miller 11+3reb+3ast, E.Latanauskas 8+6reb+1ast, V.Anisimov 0
Jurbarkas: P.Beliavicius 26+3reb+2ast, K.Kokoska 13+8reb+3ast, M.Bulanovas 12+5reb, K.Guscikas 10+4reb+2ast, A.Kavaliauskas 5+3reb+5ast, E.Dimsa 4+9reb+3ast
gschID: 1244826
