Round 20 (Regular Season): Ridzene keep a leadership position

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Latvian Ridzene as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Ridzene defeated 6th ranked British Brent in Riga 76-67. Brent trailed by 12 points at halftime and as many as 14 after three quarters before a 23-18 last quarter charge cut the deficit to 67-76 at the end of the game. Ridzene outrebounded Brent 63-28 including a 36-7 advantage in offensive rebounds. Forward Alekss Kalnins (198-2008) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 22 points and 16 rebounds. Norberts Aizbalts (-2008) contributed with 11 points and 20 rebounds for the winners. Kyran Palmer replied with 24 points and 7 rebounds for Brent. Brent's coach rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Ridzene have a solid four-game winning streak. As mentioned above they are at the top of the standings, which they share with 10 other teams. Brent lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the fourth place with three games lost. They share the position with 20 other teams. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 20: Honka was beaten by Basketbola Klase on the road 72-54. Self Made lost to Lucenec on its own court 61-79. RIM Basket managed to outperform Viitorul C-N. in Kosice 91-73. Brent rolled over Kutaisi at home 84-57. A.Kraukla/VEF was defeated by YMCA on the opponent's court 93-82.
The most impressive performance of 20th round was 40 points (!!!) and 10 rebounds by Neimantas Viliusis of Taurage.



Basketbola Klase - Honka 72-54

Everything could happen in Riga at the game between two tied teams. Both first ranked Latvian Basketbola Klase and 7th ranked Finnish Honka had identical 2-1 record. This time Basketbola Klase used a home court advantage and beat the opponent from Espoo 72-54 on Sunday night. The game was mostly controlled by Basketbola Klase. Honka managed to win second period 16-13. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Basketbola Klase dominated on the defensive end, holding Honka to just 7 points in first quarter. They also forced 28 Honka turnovers. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Basketbola Klase made 7 blocks. The winners were led by Martins Lacis who scored that evening 20 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists and Henrijs Grafs supported him with 12 points, 13 rebounds and 4 blocks. Four Basketbola Klase players scored in double figures. Even 16 points by Niklas Koivisto did not help to save the game for Honka. Robin Niemenpalo added 8 points and 12 rebounds for the guests. Basketbola Klase have a solid three-game winning streak. Despite that victory Basketbola Klase went down to second position due to points difference, which they share with 11 other teams. Honka at the other side dropped to the third place with two games lost. They share the position with 14 other teams. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Basketbola Klase: M.Lacis 20+8reb+4ast, D.Neijs 17+7reb+2ast, R.Dzerkalis 12+2reb+1ast, H.Grafs 12+13reb+1ast, M.Rancans 4+3reb+2ast, K.Laizans 4+5reb+1ast
Honka: N.Koivisto 16+4reb+2ast, E.Elo 10+2reb, R.Niemenpalo 8+12reb, H.Raitanen 6+1reb, W.Ojala 5+7reb+4ast, V.Torma 4+7reb+1ast

Self Made - Lucenec 61-79

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 4th ranked Ukrainian Self Made's (5-3) home loss to third ranked Slovakian Lucenec (7-1) in Kyiv 61-79 on Sunday. The game was mostly controlled by Lucenec. Self Made managed to win fourth quarter 23-21. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Lucenec forced 27 Self Made turnovers. Strangely Self Made outrebounded Lucenec 58-42 including 24 on the offensive glass. The winners were led by Roderik Rosko who had that evening a double-double by scoring 22 points, 15 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals and Adam Hlinka supported him with 20 points. Five Lucenec players scored in double figures. Even 8 points and 20 rebounds by guard Robert Kliavin (185-2009) did not help to save the game for Self Made. Guard Danylo Popov (192-2008) added 18 points and 7 rebounds for the hosts. Lucenec have an impressive five-game winning streak. They moved-up to second place, which they share with Nordvast. Self Made at the other side dropped to the fifth position with three games lost. They share it with Rising Stars. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Lucenec: R.Rosko 22+15reb+5ast, A.Hlinka 20+4reb, L.Hutka 14+7reb+2ast, M.Zlocha 11+4reb+3ast, A.Vranka 10+4reb, J.Fizel 2+2reb+1ast
Self Made: D.Popov 18+7reb, Y.Yefimov 13+5reb+2ast, A.Zdor 10+14reb+1ast, R.Kliavin 8+20reb+3ast, D.Volzhyn 5+5reb+2ast, I.Pankevych 5+5reb

Ridzene - Brent 76-67

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Latvian Ridzene as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Ridzene defeated 6th ranked British Brent in Riga 76-67. Brent trailed by 12 points at halftime and as many as 14 after three quarters before a 23-18 last quarter charge cut the deficit to 67-76 at the end of the game. Ridzene outrebounded Brent 63-28 including a 36-7 advantage in offensive rebounds. Forward Alekss Kalnins (198-2008) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 22 points and 16 rebounds. Norberts Aizbalts (-2008) contributed with a double-double by scoring 11 points and 20 rebounds for the winners. Five Ridzene players scored in double figures. Kyran Palmer replied with 24 points and 7 rebounds and Justin Fagbenle added 17 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists in the effort for Brent. Brent's coach rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Ridzene have a solid four-game winning streak. As mentioned above they are at the top of the standings, which they share with 10 other teams. Brent lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the fourth place with three games lost. They share the position with 20 other teams. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Ridzene: A.Kalnins 22+16reb+1ast, M.Fomins 14+6reb, N.Aizbalts 11+20reb+2ast, R.Drava 10+7reb, H.Lejnieks 10+1reb+2ast, K.Teteris 5+6reb+2ast
Brent: K.Palmer 24+7reb+3ast, J.Fagbenle 17+8reb+4ast, S.Christofi 15+7reb, R.Cryer 7+3reb+1ast, J.Blair 2+2reb, P.Kuwana 2

Viitorul C-N. - RIM Basket 73-91

Everything could happen in Cluj Napoca at the game between two tied teams. Both 43th ranked Slovakian RIM Basket and 44th ranked Romanian Viitorul C-N. had identical 2-5 record. But Viitorul C-N. was not able to use a home court advantage and was defeated by the opponent from Kosice 91-73 on Sunday night. The game was mostly controlled by RIM Basket. Viitorul C-N. managed to win fourth quarter 20-12. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. RIM Basket forced 31 Viitorul C-N. turnovers. The winners were led by Filip Nehoda who had that evening a double-double by scoring 27 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists and 7 steals and Maxim Marin supported him with 12 points and 6 rebounds. Four RIM Basket players scored in double figures. Even a double-double of 31 points and 12 rebounds by Rares Bota did not help to save the game for Viitorul C-N.. Denis Lazar added 18 points and 13 rebounds for the hosts. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. RIM Basket (3-5) moved-up to twenty ninth place. Viitorul C-N. at the other side keeps the 44th position with six games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
RIM Basket: F.Nehoda 27+10reb+5ast, M.Ondrik 18+3reb, M.Marin 12+6reb+3ast, P.Paska 12+3reb, T.Demecko 8+2reb+1ast, C.Fancalsky 6
Viitorul C-N.: R.Bota 31+12reb+2ast, D.Lazar 18+13reb+1ast, P.Pop 6+1reb+1ast, A.Abrudan 5+4reb+1ast, A.Pali 5+2reb+3ast, L.Lapustea 3+5reb+2ast

Brent - Kutaisi 84-57

We cannot really consider it an upset in the game between close teams when 5th ranked Georgian Kutaisi (1-3) was outscored on the road by sixth ranked British Brent (1-3) 84-57 on Sunday. The hosts trailed by 11 points after first quarter, but they stormed back and won the game by 27 points. Brent dominated on the defensive end, holding Kutaisi to just 7 points in fourth quarter. They dominated down low during the game scoring 58 of its points in the paint compared to Kutaisi's 34. Brent forced 21 Kutaisi turnovers and outrebounded them 54-42 including 19 on the offensive glass. The winners were led by Stelios Christofi who had that evening a double-double by scoring 16 points and 16 rebounds and Justin Fagbenle supported him with 21 points and 7 rebounds. Four Brent players scored in double figures. Even 29 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists by Tornike Chokhonelidze (184-2008) did not help to save the game for Kutaisi. Nikoloz Berekashvili (195-2007) added 10 points and 5 rebounds for the guests. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Brent left bottom position moving up to fourth place, which they share with 20 other teams including defeated Kutaisi. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Brent: J.Fagbenle 21+7reb+2ast, K.Palmer 19+8reb+2ast, S.Christofi 16+16reb+1ast, R.Cryer 11+7reb, C.Silcott 6+9reb+1ast, A.Ajayi 3+1reb
Kutaisi: T.Chokhonelidze 29+8reb+5ast, N.Berekashvili 10+5reb+1ast, A.Shushania 6+3reb, N.Machitidze 5+1reb, S.Managadze 5+4reb, M.Kheladze 2+4reb

YMCA - A.Kraukla/VEF 93-82

There was a small surprise when fourth ranked Finnish YMCA (6-2) defeated their close opponent Latvian A.Kraukla/VEF (1-3) in Tampere 93-82 on Sunday. The game was mostly controlled by YMCA. A.Kraukla/VEF managed to win third quarter 29-23. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. YMCA dominated down low during the game scoring 60 of its points in the paint compared to A.Kraukla/VEF's 38. They outrebounded A.Kraukla/VEF 49-28 including a 27-16 advantage in defensive rebounds. YMCA looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. The winners were led by guard Daniel Koivisto (-2008) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 19 points, 14 rebounds and 9 assists and Paavali Laajasalo supported him with 18 points. YMCA's coach used an eleven-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Even a double-double of 19 points and 10 rebounds by Herberts Dzenis did not help to save the game for A.Kraukla/VEF. Oto Berzins added 18 points (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field) for the guests. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. YMCA have an impressive six-game winning streak. They maintain fourth position with 6-2 record which they share with defeated A.Kraukla/VEF. A.Kraukla/VEF at the other side keeps the fourth place with three games lost. They share the position with 20 other teams. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
YMCA: D.Koivisto 19+14reb+9ast, P.Laajasalo 18+4reb+2ast, E.Gustafsson 14+1reb+4ast, A.Heikkero 11+6reb, A.Oivanen 9+1reb, A.Tokgoz 9+9reb+2ast
A.Kraukla/VEF: H.Dzenis 19+10reb, O.Berzins 18+2reb, I.Gravelsins 13+1reb+2ast, M.Pfeifers 10+2reb+1ast, B.Lipins 4+4reb, R.Silins 3+4reb+1ast

Kutaisi - Taurage 112-107 OT

Top scorers:
Kutaisi: G.Tcheishvili 51+11reb+2ast, T.Chokhonelidze 15+6reb+2ast, S.Managadze 14+8reb+2ast, N.Berekashvili 11+14reb+2ast, N.Machitidze 9+1reb+4ast, N.Chikhladze 6+1reb+1ast
Taurage: N.Viliusis 40+10reb+2ast, A.Maciunas 23+9reb+1ast, D.Lingys 20+12reb+7ast, K.Paciavicius 9+2reb+1ast, F.Jurkus 6+4reb, K.Juknas 4+1reb