Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.
The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Vytis (3-1) in Marijampole on Thursday night. Visitors were rolled over by fourth ranked Suduva-Mantinga (6-2) 95-75. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Vytis. They outrebounded Vytis 47-28 including a 17-6 advantage in offensive rebounds. Suduva-Mantinga looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. It was a good game for Latvian center Viktors Iljins (212-1991) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 15 points and 10 rebounds. Aurelijus Pukelis (205-1994) contributed with 12 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. Gabrielius Celka (198-2001) answered with 15 points and 6 rebounds for Vytis. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Suduva-Mantinga moved-up to third place. Vytis at the other side dropped to the ninth position with one game lost. Suduva-Mantinga are looking forward to face Stekas (#6) in Vilnius in the next round. Vytis will play at home against Neptunas-Akv. and is hoping to prove to their supporters that the loss was just an accident.
Tenth-ranked Delikatesas (2-6) was very close to win a game against leader Telsiai (9-0) in Telsiu. Telsiai managed to secure only two-point victory 81-79. However their fans expected much easier game. Ovidijus Kaminskis (195-1991) stepped up and scored 21 points and 7 rebounds for the winners and Ignas Razutis chipped in 18 points and 4 assists. Telsiai’s coach Rytis Vaisvila allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. The best for the losing side was American center Corey Boyd (206-1998) with 23 points and 8 rebounds. Undefeated Telsiai have an impressive series of nine victories in a row. They maintain first place with 9-0 record. Delikatesas lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the eleventh position with six games lost. They share it with Mazeikiai. Telsiai will play against Silute (#5) on the road in the next round. Delikatesas will play against Palanga (#7) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
A very close game took place in Kretinga between Kretinga and Silute. Fifth ranked Kretinga (5-3) got a very close home victory over 3rd placed Silute (5-3). Kretinga managed to escape with a 3-point win 87-84 in the game for the fourth place. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Silute. Martynas Mazeika nailed 18 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists for the winning side. Jalen Warren came up with 19 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists for Silute in the defeat. Kretinga moved-up to fourth place, which they share with defeated Silute. Kretinga will meet Mazeikiai (#12) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Silute will play against the league’s leader Telsiai (#1) and hope to secure a win.
There were no big surprises in other games of round 9: Stekas beat LSU-Atletas on the road 77-73. Winless Neptunas-Akv. lost to undefeated Zalgiris II on its own court 67-77. Vilkaviskis unfortunately lost to Palanga in a road game 86-90. Rytas 2 rolled over Mazeikiai at home 89-62.
The most impressive performance of 9th round was 19 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists by Augustinas Kiudulas of Rytas 2.
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LSU-Atletas – Stekas 73-77
No shocking result in a game when eighth ranked Stekas (4-4) beat 12th ranked LSU-Atletas (2-7) in Kaunas 77-73 on Thursday. Stekas made 19-of-24 free shots (79.2 percent) during the game. Point guard Paulius Semaska (184-1993) nailed 22 points for the winning side and forward Karolis Brusokas (202-1991) accounted for 10 points and 9 rebounds. Four Stekas players scored in double figures. The former international center Egidijus Dimsa (205-1985) came up with 11 points and 7 rebounds and Modestas Zaunieriunas (189-1994) added 13 points respectively for LSU-Atletas in the defeat. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Stekas moved-up to sixth place. LSU-Atletas lost their fourth game in a row. They dropped to the thirteenth position with seven games lost. Stekas will meet at home higher ranked Suduva-Mantinga (#3) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. LSU-Atletas will play against Vilkaviskis (#8) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Stekas: P.Semaska 22+4reb+2ast, T.Rinkunas 12+6ast, K.Brusokas 10+9reb+1ast, M.Serksnas 10+2reb, J.Sukelis 5+1reb, P.Lukas 5
LSU-Atletas: M.Zaunieriunas 13+4reb+2ast, T.Balciunas 12+4reb+1ast, E.Dimsa 11+7reb+1ast, K.Tomas 8+1reb+1ast, B.Tautvydas 8+4reb, G.Sirutavicius 6+1reb
gschID: 1020455
Neptunas-Akv. – Zalgiris II 67-77
Very expected game when bottom-ranked Neptunas-Akv. (0-9) lost to leader Zalgiris II (8-0) in Klaipeda 67-77 on Thursday. Zalgiris II dominated down low during the game scoring 56 of its points in the paint compared to Neptunas-Akv.’s 36. Liutauras Lelevicius (201-2003) nailed 16 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists for the winning side and Gytis Nemeiksa (201-2001) accounted for 11 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Zalgiris II’s coach Vytautas Pliauga used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. Matas Repsys (205-2002) came up with 19 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists and Gabrielius Mazeika (206-2003) added 18 points and 5 rebounds respectively for Neptunas-Akv. in the defeat. Four Neptunas-Akv. players scored in double figures. The victory was the eighth consecutive win for Zalgiris II. They maintain second place with 8-0 record behind leader Telsiai. Neptunas-Akv. lost their ninth game in a row. They still close the standings with nine games lost. Zalgiris II will meet at home Rytas 2 (#10) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Neptunas-Akv. will play against Vytis (#9) in Sakiai and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Zalgiris II: L.Liutauras 16+7reb+4ast, K.Kajus 14+1reb+4ast, N.Gytis 11+6reb+4ast, M.Nedas 9+2reb+1ast, B.Dovydas 7, B.Aleksas 6+4reb
Neptunas-Akv.: R.Matas 19+7reb+5ast, M.Gabrielius 18+5reb+2ast, K.Kristupas 11+3reb+1ast, L.Kristupas 10+5reb+3ast, B.Aringas 5+1reb, B.Zygimantas 2+3reb+1ast
gschID: 1020456
Kretinga – Silute 87-84
A very close game took place in Kretinga between Kretinga and Silute. Fifth ranked Kretinga (5-3) got a very close home victory over 3rd placed Silute (5-3). Kretinga managed to escape with a 3-point win 87-84 in the game for the fourth place. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Silute. Guard Martynas Mazeika (193-1985, agency: Interperformances) nailed 18 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists for the winning side and Ukrainian swingman Maksym Lutsenko (188-1993, agency: BIG) accounted for 19 points and 5 rebounds. Canadian guard Jalen Warren (188-1999, college: UIC) came up with 19 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists and Linas Lekavicius (185-1984, college: American) added 13 points and 8 assists respectively for Silute in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Kretinga moved-up to fourth place, which they share with defeated Silute. Kretinga will meet Mazeikiai (#12) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Silute will play against the league’s leader Telsiai (#1) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Kretinga: M.Lutsenko 19+5reb+2ast, M.Mazeika 18+5reb+7ast, V.Anisimov 15+7reb, M.Jurkaitis 12+4ast, E.Danys 8, R.Zabita 8+4reb+2ast
Silute: J.Warren 19+8reb+5ast, J.Alexander 16+2reb+1ast, L.Lekavicius 13+1reb+8ast, E.Preibys 12+6reb, S.Karolis 9+2reb+6ast, Y.Balaban 7+4reb
gschID: 1020457
Suduva-Mantinga – Vytis 95-75
The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of undefeated Vytis (3-1) in Marijampole on Thursday night. Visitors were rolled over by fourth ranked Suduva-Mantinga (6-2) 95-75. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Vytis. They outrebounded Vytis 47-28 including a 17-6 advantage in offensive rebounds. Suduva-Mantinga looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. It was a good game for Latvian center Viktors Iljins (212-1991) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 15 points and 10 rebounds. Aurelijus Pukelis (205-1994) contributed with 12 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. Four Suduva-Mantinga players scored in double figures. Gabrielius Celka (198-2001) answered with 15 points and 6 rebounds and Augustinas Mikstas (203-2001) added 14 points and 6 rebounds in the effort for Vytis. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Suduva-Mantinga moved-up to third place. Vytis at the other side dropped to the ninth position with one game lost. Suduva-Mantinga are looking forward to face Stekas (#6) in Vilnius in the next round. Vytis will play at home against Neptunas-Akv. and is hoping to prove to their supporters that the loss was just an accident.
Top scorers:
Suduva-Mantinga: V.Iljins 15+10reb, P.Beliavicius 15+2reb+4ast, M.Uzupis 14+7reb+1ast, A.Pukelis 12+7reb+5ast, E.Dziaugys 11+5reb+3ast, D.Vilys 10+2reb+1ast
Vytis: C.Gabrielius 15+6reb+2ast, M.Augustinas 14+6reb+1ast, E.Zilius 11+2reb, J.Titas 8+3reb+4ast, S.Kriauciunas 8+1reb+2ast, S.Vingelis 6+3reb+1ast
gschID: 1020458
Telsiai – Delikatesas 81-79
Tenth-ranked Delikatesas (2-6) was very close to win a game against leader Telsiai (9-0) in Telsiu. Telsiai managed to secure only two-point victory 81-79. However their fans expected much easier game. Ovidijus Kaminskis (195-1991) stepped up and scored 21 points and 7 rebounds for the winners and point guard Ignas Razutis (185-1987) chipped in 18 points and 4 assists. Telsiai’s coach Rytis Vaisvila allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. The best for the losing side was American center Corey Boyd (206-1998) with 23 points and 8 rebounds and Sarunas Kulevicius (193-1989) scored 24 points. Telsiai have an impressive series of nine victories in a row. They maintain first place with 9-0 record. Delikatesas lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the eleventh position with six games lost. They share it with Mazeikiai. Telsiai will play against Silute (#5) on the road in the next round. Delikatesas will play against Palanga (#7) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Telsiai: O.Kaminskis 21+7reb+1ast, I.Razutis 18+3reb+4ast, D.Rasys 11+4reb+4ast, M.Norkus 9+7reb+2ast, E.Bruzas 8+3reb+1ast, L.Mikalauskas 5+5reb
Delikatesas: S.Kulevicius 24+4reb+3ast, B.Corey 23+8reb, V.Vilius 12+2ast, D.Rackley 9+8reb+6ast, M.Ugnius 6+4reb+1ast, J.Nojus 3+1reb
gschID: 1020459
Palanga – Vilkaviskis 90-86
There was a small surprise when ninth ranked Palanga (4-5) won against at home 6th ranked Vilkaviskis (4-5) 90-86 on Thursday. Point guard Ernestas Jaskus (195-2000) nailed 22 points and 5 rebounds for the winning side and Ukrainian forward Danilo Sokolenko (203-1999) accounted for 17 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Rokas Stankevicius (202-1995, agency: BIG) came up with 22 points and 8 rebounds and point guard Aidas Kavaliauskas (186-1995, college: Fairfield) added 12 points and 10 assists respectively for Vilkaviskis in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Palanga moved-up to seventh place, which they share with defeated Vilkaviskis. Palanga will meet Delikatesas (#11) in the next round. Vilkaviskis will play against LSU-Atletas (#13) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Palanga: J.Ernestas 22+5reb+2ast, R.Clark 17+3reb+4ast, D.Sokolenko 17+6reb+4ast, T.Kararinas 12+10reb, A.Bergaudas 8+3reb+1ast, B.Tadas 6+4reb
Vilkaviskis: R.Stankevicius 22+8reb+2ast, A.Ene 15+4reb, A.Urkis 14+6reb+2ast, A.Kavaliauskas 12+2reb+10ast, N.Ernestas 8+4reb, Y.Kondrakov 5+1ast
gschID: 1020460
Rytas 2 – Mazeikiai 89-62
There was a minor upset when 11th ranked Mazeikiai (2-6) was outscored by thirteenth ranked Rytas 2 (3-6) in Vilnius 89-62 on Thursday. Rytas 2 made 22-of-28 free shots (78.6 percent) during the game. They also forced 19 Mazeikiai turnovers. Forward Augustinas Kiudulas (203-2003) nailed 19 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists for the winning side and Gediminas Alisas (196-2004) accounted for 14 points and 9 rebounds. Four Rytas 2 players scored in double figures. Center Petras Piekus (211-2000) came up with 12 points and 6 rebounds and the former international Mindaugas Motuzas (202-1996) added 10 points and 6 rebounds respectively for Mazeikiai in the defeat. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Rytas 2 moved-up to tenth place. Loser Mazeikiai keeps the eleventh position with six games lost. They share it with Delikatesas. Rytas 2 will meet league’s second-placed Zalgiris II in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Mazeikiai will play against Kretinga (#4) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Rytas 2: K.Augustinas 19+5reb+5ast, A.Gediminas 14+9reb+3ast, B.Modestas 12+11reb+3ast, S.Kristupas 11+3reb+1ast, K.Andreas 9+2reb+1ast, R.Arunas 6+2reb+3ast
Mazeikiai: M.Moussa 15+3reb, P.Petras 12+6reb, M.Motuzas 10+6reb+2ast, A.Jomantas 8+4reb+2ast, E.Sinadinovic 7+3reb+2ast, Z.Dmytro 4+4reb
gschID: 1020461
Tags : VIKTORS ILJINS, SUDUVA-MANTINGA MARIJAMPOLE, LITHUANIAN BASKETBALL
