2024-05-02 04:47:12
Oliver Kostić’s students defeated Vilnius “Ryta” (23-6) at home 88:78 (11:21, 28:9, 22:20, 27:28).
This means that all the teams of the first four will no longer move from their positions. The winner of the regular season will be Kaunas “Žalgiris”, followed by “Rytas”, Vilnius “Wolves Twinsbet” and “Uniclub Casino – Juventus“. The Uteniškis finish in the first four after the regular season for the third time in the club’s history.
This time, the hosts had a hard time accelerating – after the first quarter, they were behind “Ryto” by a double-digit difference (11:21). However, in the second quarter, Utena’s basketball players improved their defense as needed and gradually destroyed the deficit with a team effort in the attack, and finally finished the first part of the match with a solid lead – 39:30.
After the break, the team from Ute continued a great stretch until “Rytas” lost one ball after another. In the middle of the third quarter, the guests had already made 20 mistakes, and their deficit doubled in five minutes – 39:57. Before the decisive ten-minute period, they slightly improved their position – 40:51.
The men of Giedrias Žibėnas started the last quarter a bit more successfully, but Uniclub Casino – Juventus stabilized the situation and the difference between the teams remained at the double-digit limit (74:64). Three penalties by Evaldos Šaulis just before the last minute sealed the victory (86:74).
The visitors committed a total of 23 errors. This is the worst result of the Lithuanian vice-champions this season.
TJ Starks (19 points) stood out among the winners. Scoochie Smith, Šarūnas Beniušis, Ajdinas Penava and E. Šaulys also made solid contributions – all of them scored 12 points, and S. Smith intercepted even 6 balls.
“Ryto” was not helped by Gytis Radzevičius, who was close to a double-double (16 points, 9 rebounds, 25 assists) and Marcus Foster, who took the initiative in the attack (17 points).
Utena’s team continued to play without Ivan Vraneš and Ryan Taylor, and Javin DeLaurier did not help the Vilnius team. In both teams, young talents remained on the bench – Gantas Križanauskas, Ignas Urbonas and Titas Didžgalvis.
Uniclub Casino – Juventus: TJ Starks 19, Scoochie Smith, Šarūnas Beniušis, Ajdin Penava and Evaldas Šaulys 12 each, Ernestas Sederevičius 7, Marius Valinskas 6.
Rytas: Marcus Foster 17, Gytis Radzevičius 16, RJ Cole 11, Margiris Normantas 10, Gytis Masiulis and Arnas Velička 6 each.
2024-05-02 04:47:12