NKL Round 5 (Regular Season): Vytis are defeated by Alytus

After 5 rounds played we can already see who rules in the NKL and who belongs to weaker ones. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most surprising game was the first loss of Vytis (2-1) on the court of thirteenth ranked Alytus on Thursday night. Visitors were defeated by Alytus 110-105. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Vytis. American guard CJ Hall (188-2002, college: SIUE) stepped up and scored 43 points (!!!) and 6 rebounds for the winners and his fellow American import guard Scooter Williams (196-2001, college: La Tech) chipped in 22 points and 8 rebounds. Guard Arunas Rimkus (194-2004, agency: BIG) responded with 27 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals. Vytis' coach Deividas Kumelis rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Alytus (2-3) moved-up to tenth place, which they share with 4 other teams. Vytis at the other side dropped to the eighth position with one game lost. Alytus is looking forward to face higher ranked Silute (#6) on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Vytis will play against Zalgiris II and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
NKL top team - Jurbarkas (5-0) managed to deliver another win. This time they beat eighteenth ranked Rytas 2 (0-5) in Vilnius 84-72. Vytenis Lipkevicius (197) nailed a double-double by scoring 13 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists for the winning side and Norbertas Giga accounted for 12 points and 10 rebounds. Forward Adomas Pocius (200) came up with 18 points for Rytas 2 in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Undefeated Jurbarkas have an impressive series of five victories in a row. They maintain first place with 5-0 record, which they share with Telsiai. Rytas 2 at the other side still closes the standings with five games lost. They share the position with Kretinga. Jurbarkas will play against Kedainiai (#11) in Kedainiu in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Rytas 2 will play on the road against P.Olimpas (#13) in Plunge and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Bottom-ranked Atletas (0-4) is still winless. This time they lost on the road their fourth consecutive match to twelfth ranked Zalgiris II (3-2) 107-83 on Thursday evening. The best player for the winners was Dominykas Grunkis who had a double-double by scoring 12 points, 11 assists and 5 steals. Titas Didzgalvis produced 18 points 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. Zalgiris II moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Silute. Atletas lost their fourth game in a row. Newly promoted team still closes the standings with four games lost. Zalgiris II will meet Vytis (#8) in the next round. Atletas will play against Kretinga (#17) and looks forward to get finally their first victory.

There were no shocking results in the rest of the games of round 5: Telsiai won against Neptunas-Akv. on the opponent's court 85-72. Omega-Tauras managed to outperform Stekas in a home game 87-73. Silute managed to beat Vilkaviskis on the road 97-81. Palanga crushed P.Olimpas on its own court 102-76. Mazeikiai was beaten by Kedainiai in Kedainiu 92-85. Winless Kretinga lost to undefeated Suduva-Mantinga at home 83-88.



Alytus - Vytis 110-105:
The most surprising game was the first loss of Vytis (2-1) on the court of thirteenth ranked Alytus on Thursday night. Visitors were defeated by Alytus 110-105. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Vytis. American guard CJ Hall (188-2002, college: SIUE) stepped up and scored 43 points (!!!) and 6 rebounds for the winners and his fellow American import guard Scooter Williams (196-2001, college: La Tech) chipped in 22 points and 8 rebounds. Guard Arunas Rimkus (194-2004, agency: BIG) responded with 27 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals and forward Kajus Leliukas (204-2004) scored 29 points. Vytis' coach Deividas Kumelis rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Alytus (2-3) moved-up to tenth place, which they share with 4 other teams. Vytis at the other side dropped to the eighth position with one game lost. Alytus is looking forward to face higher ranked Silute (#6) on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Vytis will play against Zalgiris II and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Vytis: L.Kajus 29+3reb+3ast, A.Rimkus 27+5reb+6ast, V.Paulius 21+2reb, R.Jokubas 9+4reb+4ast, L.Nojus 8+1reb+3ast, R.Norutis 6+2reb+3ast
Alytus: H.CJ 43+6reb+1ast, W.Scooter 22+8reb+2ast, V.Sarunas 16+3reb+6ast, G.Karolis 8+14reb+2ast, V.Edas 8+9reb, J.Ernestas 5+1reb+1ast

Neptunas-Akv. - Telsiai 72-85:
Very expected game in Klaipeda where 10th ranked Neptunas-Akv. (2-3) was defeated by leader Telsiai (5-0) 85-72 on Thursday. The best player for the winners was forward Julius Kazakauskas (196-1990) who had a double-double by scoring 18 points and 12 rebounds. Center Tadas Budrys (205-2002) chipped in 14 points and 6 rebounds. Four Telsiai players scored in double figures. point guard Nojus Pabrieza (203-2004) produced 11 points and 7 rebounds and power forward Eimantas Zilius (201-1999, agency: Bell Basketball) added 16 points respectively for the hosts. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. The victory was the fifth consecutive win for Telsiai. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Jurbarkas. Loser Neptunas-Akv. keeps the tenth place with three games lost. They share the position with 4 other teams. Telsiai will meet at home Vilkaviskis (#9) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Neptunas-Akv. will play against Mazeikiai and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Neptunas-Akv.: E.Zilius 16+1reb+1ast, N.Pabrieza 11+7reb+1ast, M.Rokas 10+1reb+2ast, R.Sakaitis 8+2reb+6ast, D.Remeikis 7, S.Sarakauskas 5+3reb+2ast
Telsiai: J.Kazakauskas 18+12reb+2ast, B.Tadas 14+6reb+1ast, D.Keishawn 14+1reb+2ast, V.Kevon 13+2reb+6ast, D.Rasys 9+5reb, P.Vilius 6+3reb+1ast

Omega-Tauras - Stekas 87-73:
Rather predictable result in Kaunas where fifth ranked Omega-Tauras (4-1) defeated 9th ranked Stekas (2-3) 87-73 on Thursday. Omega-Tauras looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The best player for the winners was Giedrius Stankevicius (207-1996) who scored 9 points, 16 rebounds and 5 assists. ex-international point guard Sarunas Vasiliauskas (188-1989) chipped in 19 points and 5 assists (was perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line). Omega-Tauras' coach used a ten-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. The former international swingman Edvinas Seskus (196-1995, agency: BIG) produced 22 points and 4 assists and ex-international forward Darius Tarvydas (200) added 11 points respectively for the guests. Four Stekas players scored in double figures. Omega-Tauras moved-up to third place, which they share with Palanga. Loser Stekas dropped to the tenth position with three games lost. They share it with 4 other teams. Omega-Tauras will meet Suduva-Mantinga (#5) in the next round. Stekas will play against Palanga (#4) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Stekas: E.Seskus 22+1reb+4ast, A.Arnas 13+1reb+2ast, D.Tarvydas 11+4reb+2ast, M.Gecevicius 10+4reb+3ast, S.Webster 7+6reb+4ast, B.Dominykas 5+4reb+2ast
Omega-Tauras: V.Sarunas 19+5ast, F.Jaden 14+2reb, A.Tauris 11+2reb, A.Hopenas 10+1reb, S.Giedrius 9+16reb+5ast, S.Simas 8+3reb+4ast

Vilkaviskis - Silute 81-97:
There was a minor upset when 7th ranked Vilkaviskis (2-2) was defeated at home by ninth ranked Silute (3-2) 97-81 on Thursday. Silute looked well-organized offensively handing out 29 assists. The best player for the winners was center Augustinas Mikstas (203-2001) who had a double-double by scoring 20 points and 12 rebounds. Rokas Jocys (196-2004, college: Manhattan) chipped in a double-double by scoring 15 points and 10 assists. point guard Paulius Danisevicius (178-1995, agency: BIG) produced 13 points and forward Emilis Bartninkas (206-2004, agency: Players Group) added 12 points and 7 rebounds respectively for the hosts. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Silute moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Zalgiris II. Loser Vilkaviskis dropped to the ninth position with two games lost. Silute will meet at home Alytus (#10) in the next round. Vilkaviskis will play against the league's second-placed Telsiai and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Vilkaviskis: P.Danisevicius 13+4reb+3ast, T.Pazarauskas 13+1reb+1ast, E.Bartninkas 12+7reb+1ast, K.Gustas 11+4reb+4ast, Z.Mantvydas 10+2reb+5ast, M.Justinas 9+3reb+1ast
Silute: G.Gerrale 23+4reb+2ast, M.Augustinas 20+12reb+3ast, R.Jocys 15+4reb+10ast, B.Demarco 10+5reb, J.Nojus 10+6reb+6ast, Z.Martynas 8+1reb+2ast

Zalgiris II - Atletas 107-83:
Bottom-ranked Atletas (0-4) is still winless. This time they lost on the road their fourth consecutive match to twelfth ranked Zalgiris II (3-2) 107-83 on Thursday evening. Zalgiris II made 18-of-22 free shots (81.8 percent) during the game. They shot the lights out from three sinking 17 long-distance shots on high 53.1 percentage. Zalgiris II looked well-organized offensively handing out 31 assists. The best player for the winners was point guard Dominykas Grunkis (164-2007) who had a double-double by scoring 12 points, 11 assists and 5 steals. Estonian swingman Sten-Markus Adamson (200-2008) chipped in 15 points and 9 rebounds. Four Zalgiris II players scored in double figures. point guard Titas Didzgalvis (183-2006) produced 18 points and power forward Aistis Lukosevicius (211-2004) added 13 points and 5 rebounds respectively 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. Zalgiris II moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Silute. Atletas lost their fourth game in a row. Newly promoted team still closes the standings with four games lost. Zalgiris II will meet Vytis (#8) in the next round. Atletas will play against Kretinga (#17) and looks forward to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Atletas: D.Titas 18+2reb+3ast, L.Aistis 13+5reb+3ast, M.Vytautas 11+5reb+4ast, V.Arnas 11+1reb, S.Justas 8+5reb+1ast, M.Sarunas 8+3reb+5ast
Zalgiris II: A.Sten-Markus 15+9reb+2ast, N.Mistautas 15+2reb, U.Dominykas 13+1reb+4ast, K.Sabeckas 13+3reb+1ast, G.Dominykas 12+4reb+11ast, B.Majus 11+5reb+1ast

Palanga - P.Olimpas 102-76:
Everything went according to plan when fourth ranked Palanga (4-1) outscored at home 11th ranked P.Olimpas (2-3) 102-76 on Thursday. Palanga made 17-of-21 free shots (81.0 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists comparing to just 14 passes made by P.Olimpas' players. The best player for the winners was forward Rokas Uzas (202-1988) who scored 22 points and 5 assists. American forward William Jenkins III (203-1996, college: Virginia Union, agency: BIG) chipped in a double-double by scoring 15 points and 11 rebounds. American center Emmanuel Byrd (206-2004, college: Truman St.) produced a double-double by scoring 18 points and 11 rebounds and the other American import guard Thomas Miles (188-1998, college: WPU) added 17 points respectively for the guests. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Palanga moved-up to third place, which they share with Omega-Tauras. Loser P.Olimpas dropped to the tenth position with three games lost. They share it with 4 other teams. Palanga will meet Stekas (#14) in the next round which should be another easy win for them. P.Olimpas will play against Rytas 2 (#18) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
P.Olimpas: B.Emmanuel 18+11reb+2ast, T.Miles 17+4reb+2ast, R.Ignas 13+2reb+3ast, V.Mustiatsa 11+3reb+2ast, M.Motiejus 6+3reb+1ast, N.Muhammad 5+1reb+2ast
Palanga: U.Rokas 22+3reb+5ast, J.Titas 18+2reb+3ast, J.William 15+11reb+2ast, H.Pivorius 14+2reb, C.Armin 12+6reb+10ast, U.Antanas 9+3reb+3ast

Kedainiai - Mazeikiai 92-85:
Everything could happen in Kedainiu at the game between two tied teams. Both fourteenth ranked Kedainiai and 15th ranked Mazeikiai had identical 1-3 record. This time Kedainiai used a home court advantage and defeated the opponent from Mazeikiai 92-85 on Thursday night. Kedainiai forced 20 Mazeikiai turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Kedainiai made 7 blocks. The best player for the winners was point guard Paulius Semaska (184-1993) who scored 20 points and 8 assists (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field). point guard Laurynas Danielius (182-1998) chipped in 23 points and 6 steals. Kedainiai's coach used a ten-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. American guard Royce Williams (185, college: NW Missouri St.) produced 25 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists and forward Arvydas Gydra (207-1989) added 17 points and 7 rebounds respectively for the guests. Four Mazeikiai players scored in double figures. Kedainiai (2-3) moved-up to tenth place, which they share with 4 other teams. Mazeikiai lost their third game in a row. They keep the fifteenth position with four games lost. Kedainiai will meet league's leader Jurbarkas on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Mazeikiai will play against Neptunas-Akv. (#12) and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Mazeikiai: R.Williams 25+8reb+5ast, A.Gydra 17+7reb+3ast, A.Lopukhov 12+3reb+1ast, K.Laurynas 10+9reb+2ast, T.Kupstas 8+1reb+2ast, P.Armandas 8+5reb+1ast
Kedainiai: L.Danielius 23+2reb+2ast, P.Semaska 20+2reb+8ast, K.Medas 15+5reb+2ast, V.Steponavicius 7+2reb+6ast, L.Ignas 7+10reb+2ast, M.Ginas 7+3reb+1ast

Kretinga - Suduva-Mantinga 83-88:
No shocking result in a game when leader Suduva-Mantinga (3-0) won against on the road bottom-ranked Kretinga (0-5) 88-83 on Thursday. The best player for the winners was guard Gediminas Mokseckas (193-2000, college: Campbell) who scored 16 points and 7 rebounds. point guard Justinas Ramanauskas (194-2000) chipped in 20 points. Four Suduva-Mantinga players scored in double figures. Canadian guard Jalen Warren (188-1999, college: UIC) produced 24 points and point guard Mantvydas Staniulis (187-1997) added 19 points respectively for the hosts. The victory was the third consecutive win for Suduva-Mantinga. They maintain fifth place with 3-0 record. Kretinga lost their fifth game in a row. They still close the standings with five games lost. They share the position with Rytas 2. Suduva-Mantinga will meet at home higher ranked Omega-Tauras (#3) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Kretinga will play against Atletas (#16) in Kaunas and looks forward to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Kretinga: J.Warren 24+2reb+2ast, M.Staniulis 19+3ast, J.Ziubrys 11, Y.Justin 9+7reb+2ast, K.Metrikis 6+12reb+1ast, D.Edgaras 5+3reb+2ast
Suduva-Mantinga: R.Justinas 20+2reb, M.Gediminas 16+7reb, V.Domantas 16+1reb+2ast, J.Matas 11+8reb+2ast, G.Celka 8+2reb+1ast, L.Ignas 6+1reb

Rytas 2 - Jurbarkas 72-84:
NKL top team - Jurbarkas (5-0) managed to deliver another win. This time they beat eighteenth ranked Rytas 2 (0-5) in Vilnius 84-72. Jurbarkas forced 19 Rytas 2 turnovers. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 25 assists. Vytenis Lipkevicius (197) nailed a double-double by scoring 13 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists for the winning side and power forward Norbertas Giga (208-1995, college: Jax State) accounted for 12 points and 10 rebounds. Five Jurbarkas players scored in double figures. Forward Adomas Pocius (200) came up with 18 points and Erikas Sirgedas (191-2007) added 6 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals respectively for Rytas 2 in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Jurbarkas have an impressive series of five victories in a row. They maintain first place with 5-0 record, which they share with Telsiai. Rytas 2 at the other side still closes the standings with five games lost. They share the position with Kretinga. Jurbarkas will play against Kedainiai (#11) in Kedainiu in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Rytas 2 will play on the road against P.Olimpas (#13) in Plunge and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Rytas 2: A.Pocius 18+3reb+3ast, K.Snitka 9+2reb+1ast, J.Trivokas 8+2reb, G.Buivydas 7+1reb+7ast, K.Martynas 6+3reb+1ast, A.Vincentas 6+4reb
Jurbarkas: Z.Tomas 15+6reb+2ast, K.Kokoska 13+5reb+1ast, L.Vytenis 13+14reb+4ast, C.Vytenis 12+2reb+4ast, G.Norbertas 12+10reb+1ast, N.Justas 6+2reb+2ast