BBBL Round 7 (Regular Season): VKM is defeated by Askus

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Lithuanian VKM (4-1) against second ranked Estonian Askus on Sunday night. Askus were defeated by Askus 56-47. It was a great evening for Ekke Paivel who led his team to a victory scoring 18 points and 6 rebounds. Forward Robert Randmaa (198-2009) helped adding 3 points and 12 rebounds. At the losing side Lukas Vilimavicius responded with a double-double by scoring 11 points and 10 rebounds. Askus (10-5) have an impressive series of five victories in a row. Despite that victory Askus went down to eighteenth position due to points difference. VKM at the other side dropped to the ninth place with one game lost. They share the position with 4 other teams.
In the game between Top Four teams first ranked Rakvere (11-3) smashed 3rd placed Hito (9-6) 65-35. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Hito. It was an exceptional evening for Marcus Vainumae who led the winners and scored 13 points and 7 rebounds. Enriko Balotsev accounted for 11 points. Marten Merirand came up with 6 points and 9 rebounds for Hito 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. The victory was the eleventh consecutive win for Rakvere. Despite that victory Rakvere went down to seventeenth position due to points difference. Hito at the other side dropped to the nineteenth place with six games lost. They share the position with Bertans.
In the game between Top Four teams leader Gulbene (5-0) edged their close opponent Bauska (2-3) 58-56. Teo Leimanis fired a double-double by scoring 15 points, 9 rebounds and 10 assists for the winners. Gulbene's coach used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. Toms Arsentjevs produced 19 points and 6 rebounds for lost side. Despite that victory Gulbene went down to seventh position due to points difference, which they share with 3 other teams. Loser Bauska dropped to the twelfth place with three games lost. They share the position with Oppsal.

There were no shocking results in the rest of the games of round 7: Salaspils won against Noo Spordikool 62-51. V.Knasiaus managed to outperform Viimsi 57-47. Bertans managed to beat Tartu 73-71. Kalev Cramo crushed Kesklinna 60-35. Jelgava beat Pardaugava UG 69-61. Keila won against A.Kraukla/VEF 59-50. Tbilisi was outscored by Taurages 85-39. Ventspils managed to beat East-Ball 70-65. Liepaja was crushed by Oppsal 65-43.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 13 points and 10 rebounds by Xavier Zingara of Oppsal.



Noo Spordikool - Salaspils 51-62

Very expected game when 18th ranked Estonian Noo Spordikool (6-9) was defeated by leader Latvian Salaspils (5-0) 62-51 on Sunday. Strangely Noo Spordikool outrebounded Salaspils 42-24 including a 15-4 advantage in offensive rebounds. Adrians Stinkulis fired 19 points and 4 steals for the winners. Gustavs Ozolins chipped in 13 points and 4 assists. Salaspils' coach used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Renar Kaspri produced 16 points and 7 rebounds and Robert Kaarik (-2009) added 18 points respectively for lost side. Despite that victory Salaspils went down to seventh position due to points difference, which they share with 3 other teams. Loser Noo Spordikool dropped to the twenty fourth place with nine games lost. They share the position with Jelgava.
Top scorers:
Salaspils: A.Stinkulis 19+3reb+2ast, G.Ozolins 13+2reb+4ast, E.Eindorfs 8+1reb+1ast, R.Sturis 7+2reb+1ast, O.Licitis 5+2reb+2ast, K.Makarovs 4+3reb+1ast
Noo Spordikool: K.Robert 18+4reb+2ast, K.Renar 16+7reb+3ast, L.Andreas 7+10reb+1ast, K.Artur 7+16reb, E.Hugo 3+3reb, A.Oliver 0+2reb

V.Knasiaus - Viimsi 57-47

Very predictable result when leader Lithuanian V.Knasiaus (5-0) defeated 9th ranked Estonian Viimsi (5-10) 57-47 on Sunday. V.Knasiaus dominated down low during the game scoring 48 of its points in the paint compared to Viimsi's 26. They outrebounded Viimsi 39-14 including a 14-3 advantage in offensive rebounds. Povilas Zavackas fired 8 points and 11 rebounds for the winners. Lukas Darguzis chipped in 12 points and 6 rebounds. Marcus Padar produced 11 points and Oliver Allika added 10 points respectively for lost side. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Despite that victory V.Knasiaus went down to seventh position due to points difference, which they share with 3 other teams. Viimsi lost their fifth game in a row. They dropped to the twenty fifth place with ten games lost. They share the position with East-Ball.
Top scorers:
V.Knasiaus: L.Darguzis 12+6reb+1ast, M.Indzelis 10+5reb, P.Zavackas 8+11reb+2ast, J.Naujokaitis 8+2reb+2ast, M.Jankauskas 7+2reb+1ast, R.Tamolis 6+3reb+1ast
Viimsi: P.Marcus 11+4reb, A.Oliver 10+3reb, K.Gregor 8, A.Aaron 7+2reb, S.Aleks 6+1reb, R.Artur 3

Askus - VKM 56-47

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of undefeated Lithuanian VKM (4-1) against second ranked Estonian Askus on Sunday night. Askus were defeated by Askus 56-47. It was a great evening for Ekke Paivel who led his team to a victory scoring 18 points and 6 rebounds. Forward Robert Randmaa (198-2009) helped adding 3 points and 12 rebounds. At the losing side Lukas Vilimavicius responded with a double-double by scoring 11 points and 10 rebounds and Dominykas Astrauskas scored 8 points and 11 rebounds. Askus (10-5) have an impressive series of five victories in a row. Despite that victory Askus went down to eighteenth position due to points difference. VKM at the other side dropped to the ninth place with one game lost. They share the position with 4 other teams.
Top scorers:
Askus: E.Paivel 18+6reb+1ast, K.Voolaid 13+2reb, J.Luht 9+2reb+3ast, R.Remlik 5+7reb+2ast, P.Rommel 4+4reb+5ast, R.Randmaa 3+12reb
VKM: K.Gediminas 12+2reb+2ast, V.Lukas 11+10reb+2ast, A.Dominykas 8+11reb, P.Adomas 6+2reb+4ast, V.Adomas 4, G.Andrej 4+1reb+1ast

Tartu - Bertans 71-73

There was an upset when 4th placed Estonian Tartu (8-3) was edged by seventeenth ranked Latvian Bertans (9-6) 73-71 on Sunday. Roberts Bikovskis fired 24 points and 7 rebounds for the winners. Ralfs Vladimirovs chipped in 16 points and 6 rebounds. Lennart Joorits produced 20 points and Romek Niilo added 15 points (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field) respectively for lost side. Tartu's coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. The victory was the fourth consecutive win for Bertans. Despite that victory Bertans went down to nineteenth position due to points difference, which they share with Hito. Tartu lost their third game in a row. They dropped to the twentieth place with three games lost.
Top scorers:
Bertans: R.Bikovskis 24+7reb+2ast, R.Vladimirovs 16+6reb+2ast, M.Kalnins 10+3reb, R.Rudzitis 9+5reb, M.Kalnins 7+3reb, G.Endzelins 4+1reb
Tartu: J.Lennart 20+1reb+1ast, N.Romek 15+3reb, N.Stein 8+3reb+1ast, A.Airon 8+4reb, K.Karl 7+7reb+1ast, H.Jaan 4+1reb+2ast

Kalev Cramo - Kesklinna 60-35

Everything went according to plan when second ranked Kalev Cramo (3-7) outscored 6th ranked Kesklinna (7-8) 60-35 on Sunday. It was a key game for the second position in the league. Kalev Cramo forced 24 Kesklinna turnovers. Joonas Esinurm fired 15 points for the winners. Herman Amor chipped in 6 points and 8 rebounds. Forward Mathias Luht (199-2010) produced 11 points and Trevor Rosenberg added 5 points and 6 rebounds respectively for lost side. Kesklinna's coach gave up on the game allowing to play ten players seeing no chance for a win. Kalev Cramo maintains second place with 3-7 record having just five point less than leader Beat Basket, which they share with Tbilisi. Loser Kesklinna dropped to the twenty second position with eight games lost.
Top scorers:
Kalev Cramo: J.Esinurm 15+1reb+1ast, P.Pelt 9+2reb+1ast, T.Tammaru 9+3reb, R.Raavik 8+2reb+3ast, K.Virtmann 7+4reb+4ast, H.Amor 6+8reb+1ast
Kesklinna: L.Mathias 11+2reb+1ast, R.Trevor 5+6reb+2ast, M.Jesper 5+3reb+1ast, R.Henri 4+5reb, S.Kenert 3+1reb, P.Mattias 2+1reb

Hito - Rakvere 35-65

In the game between Top Four teams first ranked Rakvere (11-3) smashed 3rd placed Hito (9-6) 65-35. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Hito. Rakvere held Hito to an opponent 21.4 percent shooting from the field compared to 41.5 percent accuracy of the winners. It was an exceptional evening for Marcus Vainumae who led the winners and scored 13 points and 7 rebounds. Enriko Balotsev accounted for 11 points for the winning side. Marten Merirand came up with 6 points and 9 rebounds and Mattias Mihhailov added 8 points and 7 rebounds respectively for Hito 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. The victory was the eleventh consecutive win for Rakvere. Despite that victory Rakvere went down to seventeenth position due to points difference. Hito at the other side dropped to the nineteenth place with six games lost. They share the position with Bertans.
Top scorers:
Rakvere: M.Vainumae 13+7reb, E.Balotsev 11+4reb+1ast, A.Balotsev 8, R.Madisson 7+2ast, O.Part 6+1reb+1ast, R.Jarvepere 6+5reb+1ast
Hito: M.Mattias 8+7reb, M.Marten 6+9reb+1ast, J.Jakob 5+4reb, K.Ott 4+2reb, A.Rasmus 4+6reb, S.Serafim 3+2reb+1ast

Pardaugava UG - Jelgava 61-69

There was no surprise when 14th ranked Pardaugava UG (1-8) was defeated by eighth ranked Jelgava (6-9) 69-61 on Sunday. Jelgava forced 32 Pardaugava UG turnovers. Rudolfs Kristals fired 17 points and 9 rebounds for the winners. Edvards Jerofejevs chipped in 6 points and 16 rebounds. Andris Rugelis produced 9 points and 16 rebounds and Patriks Bogdans added 15 points respectively for lost side. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Despite that victory Jelgava went down to twenty fourth position due to points difference, which they share with Noo Spordikool. Pardaugava UG lost their third game in a row. They dropped to the thirtieth place with eight games lost.
Top scorers:
Jelgava: R.Kristals 17+9reb+3ast, V.Strupulis 11+5reb, O.Purins 9+2reb+4ast, G.Barovskis 9+2reb+1ast, M.Ziemelis 7+3reb, E.Jerofejevs 6+16reb+1ast
Pardaugava UG: B.Patriks 15+3reb+3ast, S.Valters 13+2reb, V.Markuss 10+5reb+2ast, R.Andris 9+16reb, S.Toms 5+9reb+5ast, O.Rudolfs 4+1reb

Keila - A.Kraukla/VEF 59-50

No shocking result in a game when fifth ranked Estonian Keila (7-3) won against 13th ranked Latvian A.Kraukla/VEF (4-6) 59-50 on Sunday. Guard Kirill Ermakov (180-2010) fired 26 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists (made all of his seven free throws) for the winners. Ramon Uibukunt chipped in 14 points. Markuss Silutins produced 13 points and 8 rebounds and Everts Buls added 13 points respectively for lost side. The victory was the fifth consecutive win for Keila. Despite that victory Keila went down to twenty first position due to points difference. Loser A.Kraukla/VEF dropped to the twenty ninth place with six games lost.
Top scorers:
Keila: K.Ermakov 26+8reb+7ast, R.Uibukunt 14+2reb+1ast, S.Salumae 7, A.Kivimae 5+10reb+1ast, R.Parnoja 4+12reb, F.Dikker 2+2reb+3ast
A.Kraukla/VEF: S.Markuss 13+8reb+3ast, B.Everts 13+3reb, K.Reinis 9+4reb, P.Ralfs 5+4reb, S.Milans 4+1reb, K.Armins 3+6reb+2ast

Taurages - Tbilisi 85-39

Very expected game when 22th ranked Georgian Tbilisi (3-7) was crushed by Lithuanian Taurages (4-1) 85-39 on Sunday. Taurages dominated down low during the game scoring 56 of its points in the paint compared to Tbilisi's 26. They outrebounded Tbilisi 47-24 including a 22-7 advantage in offensive rebounds. Dominykas Ramanauskas fired 19 points and 6 rebounds for the winners. Zygimantas Kairys chipped in 15 points and 7 rebounds. Five Taurages players scored in double figures. Andria Tskvitinidze produced 18 points and 5 rebounds and Lazare Kashia added 9 points respectively for lost side. Tbilisi's coach gave up on the game allowing to play thirteen players seeing no chance for a win. Despite that victory Taurages went down to ninth position due to points difference, which they share with 4 other teams. Tbilisi lost their third game in a row. They dropped to the second place with seven games lost. They share the position with Kalev Cramo.
Top scorers:
Taurages: D.Ramanauskas 19+6reb+2ast, Z.Kairys 15+7reb+2ast, V.Petraitis 14+5reb+2ast, E.Rekasius 12+1reb, K.Mozuraitis 11+12reb, V.Beresna 7+4reb+1ast
Tbilisi: T.Andria 18+5reb, K.Lazare 9+4reb, J.Nikoloz 6+1reb, S.Luka 4+4reb+1ast, D.Vito 2+1reb, K.Toma 0

Gulbene - Bauska 58-56

In the game between Top Four teams leader Gulbene (5-0) edged their close opponent Bauska (2-3) 58-56. Teo Leimanis fired a double-double by scoring 15 points, 9 rebounds and 10 assists for the winners. Davis Dreiskens chipped in a double-double by scoring 13 points and 10 rebounds. Gulbene's coach used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. Toms Arsentjevs produced 19 points and 6 rebounds and Emils Circenis added 19 points and 4 steals respectively for lost side. Despite that victory Gulbene went down to seventh position due to points difference, which they share with 3 other teams. Loser Bauska dropped to the twelfth place with three games lost. They share the position with Oppsal.
Top scorers:
Gulbene: T.Leimanis 15+9reb+10ast, A.Briedis 13+7reb+3ast, D.Dreiskens 13+10reb+1ast, A.Baltramejuns 5+4reb+3ast, D.Kudrjasovs 3+2reb, R.Gavrilko 3+7reb+2ast
Bauska: C.Emils 19+4reb+3ast, A.Toms 19+6reb+2ast, M.Raivo 6+6reb, B.Marko 5+6reb+2ast, G.Toms 5+1reb, Z.Dominiks 2+6reb+2ast

Ventspils - East-Ball 70-65

Very predictable result when Ventspils (4-1) defeated 13th ranked East-Ball (5-10) 70-65 on Sunday. However just five-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. Ventspils forced 25 East-Ball turnovers. Guard Toms Lacbergs (180-2010) fired 17 points and 5 steals for the winners. Kristijans Skabardis chipped in 14 points and 7 rebounds. Arsenijs Artemjevs produced 17 points and 5 rebounds and Kristers Brikmanis added 14 points respectively for lost side. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Despite that victory Ventspils went down to ninth position due to points difference, which they share with 4 other teams. Loser East-Ball dropped to the twenty fifth place with ten games lost. They share the position with Viimsi.
Top scorers:
Ventspils: T.Lacbergs 17+4reb+1ast, K.Skabardis 14+7reb+1ast, M.Strazdins 14+4reb+1ast, M.Abols 9+3reb+1ast, P.Pavulans 7+3reb, A.Skele 4+2reb+1ast
East-Ball: A.Arsenijs 17+5reb+3ast, B.Kristers 14+2reb, L.Ralfs 9+3reb+3ast, M.Sebastians 8, G.Daniel 6+7reb, A.Adams 4+3reb

Oppsal - Liepaja 65-43

Not a big story in a game when 23th ranked Latvian Liepaja (3-12) was rolled over by Norwegian Oppsal (2-3) 65-43 on Sunday. Oppsal dominated down low during the game scoring 46 of its points in the paint compared to Liepaja's 26. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Oppsal made 7 blocks. Xavier Zingara fired a double-double by scoring 13 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. Joshua Samson chipped in 8 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists. Mariss Sneider produced 16 points and 8 rebounds and Gustavs Jaunsleinis added 4 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals respectively for lost side. Despite that victory Oppsal went down to twelfth position due to points difference, which they share with Bauska. Liepaja lost their sixth game in a row. They dropped to the bottom place with 12 games lost.
Top scorers:
Oppsal: A.Rambod 13+6reb+3ast, X.Zingara 13+10reb+1ast, D.Mahmood 11+3reb+4ast, D.Sandstrom 9, J.Samson 8+8reb+7ast, S.Codling 5+3reb+2ast
Liepaja: S.Mariss 16+8reb+1ast, M.Ralfs 11+3reb, V.Ralfs 5+1reb+1ast, J.Gustavs 4+6reb+5ast, S.Adrians 3+3reb+1ast, K.Raitis 3+2reb+3ast