POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
Kenneth Smith
FINAL
Lietkabelis – Rytas 77-78
Rytas nipped Lietkabelis on the road to open 3-1 advantage in the championship series. Rytas made 20-of-24 free shots (83.3 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Kenneth Smith (190-1993, college: Louisiana Tech) who helped to win the game recording 18 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists. International Arnas Butkevicius (197-1992) contributed with 12 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. Rytas’ coach Giedrius Zibenas used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. Greek swingman Panagiotis Kalaitzakis (197-1999, agency: Octagon Europe) replied with 17 points and 6 rebounds and swingman Gediminas Orelik (199-1990) added 17 points in the effort for Lietkabelis.
Top scorers:
Lietkabelis: P.Kalaitzakis 17+6reb+1ast, G.Orelik 17+2reb+2ast, K.Zemaitis 11+3reb+1ast, D.Gagic 9+3reb+1ast, D.Giedraitis 8+4ast, N.Radicevic 7+3reb+6ast
Rytas: K.Smith 18+5reb+8ast, M.Normantas 13+2reb+1ast, A.Butkevicius 12+5reb+5ast, T.Leissner 9+3reb+1ast, J.Williams 8+1reb+1ast, L.Uleckas 8+4reb
gschID: 986505
3-4 Place
Siauliai – Zalgiris 76-89
Zalgiris clinched the third position as they swept Siauliai. Zalgiris outrebounded Siauliai 36-25 including 26 on the defensive glass. Worth to mention a great performance of international center Marek Blazevic (209-2001) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 17 points and 12 rebounds and American power forward Tyler Cavanaugh (206-1994, college: GWU) who added 12 points during the contest. At the losing side point guard Donatas Sabeckis (197-1992) responded with 23 points and 5 assists and Ukrainian guard Issuf Sanon (193-1999, agency: BeoBasket) scored 10 points and 6 rebounds. Four Siauliai players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games.
Top scorers:
Siauliai: D.Sabeckis 23+2reb+5ast, I.Armwood 11+1reb, A.Urbutis 10+4reb, I.Sanon 10+6reb+2ast, M.Varnas 7+4reb+6ast, N.Bezbradica 6+2reb+1ast
Zalgiris: M.Blazevic 17+12reb, A.Milaknis 15, T.Cavanaugh 12+4reb+1ast, P.Jankunas 9+5reb+1ast, J.Strelnieks 8+3reb+3ast, J.Nebo 7+2reb
Tags : KENNETH SMITH, BC RYTAS VILNIUS, LITHUANIAN BASKETBALL
