2024-05-08 20:02:00
Uteniški already know that they will face Panevėžys “Lietkabel” in the quarter-final series, while Žalgiris still have to wait for their opponents. It is not clear how the 7th-8th places will be shared between Mazeikiai’s “M Basket-Delamode” (11/18) and Jonava’s “CBet” (11/19).
Both teams will start the quarterfinals on May 12.
“Žalgiris” started the match solidly and in the first four minutes allowed the team from Ute to score just two points. This is how the Kaunas pulled away 13:2, and Lukas Lekavičius and Demetre Rivers allowed the home team to keep control in their hands – 26:15.
Even though Utenians revived the attack a bit, and the difference decreased to a single digit (21:28), Andrea Trinchieri asked for a break, after which “Žalgiris” made a 14:1 run and was far away again – 42:22. This time – by a crushing margin.
Uteniks found themselves in the hole and, thanks to Ryan Taylor, trailed 34:49 before the long break. However, after the big break, “Žalgiris” entered the field better, started to move away and did not allow the guests to score points for almost seven minutes.
15:0 – that’s how A. Trinchieri’s pupils looked like – 61:34. It was finally interrupted by Z. Simmons. Finally, in the third quarter, Uniclub Casino – Juventus scored 7 points and trailed 41-73 after that.
7 points in a quarter is a season record for Uteniks.
There were another 10 minutes ahead, but they were just a formality. Nedas Montvila and Daniel Lavrinovičius already stepped on the floor, “Žalgiris” relaxed a bit and allowed the opponents to soften the result.
Until now, Uniclub Casino – Juventus’ season’s anti-record of points reached 63 points, so this match recorded the worst performance of the season.
Ivan Vraneš was already registered for the match after the suspension, but he did not run on the floor.
“Zalgiris”: Tomas Dimša 16 (5/6 treys), Kevarrius Hayes 14 (6 rebounds), Demetre Rivers 13, Laurynas Birutis 12, Keenan Evans 11 (4 assists).
Uniclub Casino – Juventus: Ryan Taylor 13, Ajdin Penava 8, TJStarks, Šarūnas Beniūšis, Evaldas Šaulys and Zachary Simmons (5 rebounds) – 7 each.
In the last round, “Žalgiris” lost to Vilnius “Wolves” 93:97, and the Ute team did not break Jonava’s CBet 88:85.
In this season, both these teams have already met twice and the Kaunas team won both times: 101:63 at home and 79:69 in Utena.
2024-05-08 20:02:00