LKL Round 7 (Regular Season): Gargzdai is upset by Nevezis

It's still too early stage of the Regular Season in LKL, but even now we can clearly see the difference between stronger teams and outsiders. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game between second ranked Gargzdai (5-3) and tenth ranked Nevezis (1-6) was the most important one in the last round on Monday night. Gargzdai was defeated by Nevezis in Kedainiai 87-76. American guard Xander Rice (190-2001, college: Monmouth, agency: Octagon Europe) fired 21 points for the winners. French-British guard Flynn Boardman-Raffett (196-2002, college: Memorial) chipped in 20 points. Nevezis' coach Evaldas Berzininkaitis used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American-Syrian guard Stanley Davis Jr (196-1998, college: Morgan St.) produced 21 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists for lost side. Nevezis maintains tenth place with 1-6 record. Gargzdai at the other side keeps the second position with three games lost. Nevezis are looking forward to face higher ranked Siauliai (#8) at home in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Gargzdai will play against Jonava (#6) and is hoping to win this game.
An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Vilnius. Leader Zalgiris faced 3rd placed Rytas. Guests from Kaunas (8-0) defeated host Rytas (4-2) 94-89. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Rytas. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Dustin Sleva (203-1995, college: Shippensburg) who helped to win the game recording 24 points and 9 rebounds. Jonas Valanciunas contributed with 15 points and 7 rebounds for the winners. Zalgiris' coach Tomas Masiulis used entire bench in such tough game. The former international guard Augustas Marciulionis (193-2002, college: SMC) answered with 24 points for Rytas. Undefeated Zalgiris have an impressive series of eight victories in a row. Defending champion maintains first place with 8-0 record. Rytas at the other side keeps the third position with two games lost. Zalgiris will play against Juventus (#7) in Utena in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Rytas will play on the road against Lietkabelis (#4) in Panevezys and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
The game in Panevezys supposed to be also quite interesting. 4th placed Neptunas (4-4) played at the court of sixth ranked Lietkabelis (4-4). Lietkabelis did not have too big problems and got a relatively easy victory 99-79 on Saturday. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Neptunas. It was a great evening for Alex Schumacher who led his team to a victory scoring 29 points. At the losing side Martynas Echodas responded with 16 points and 8 rebounds (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field). Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Lietkabelis moved-up to fourth place, which they share with defeated Neptunas. Lietkabelis will meet at home higher ranked Rytas (#3) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Neptunas will play against Taurages and hope to secure a win.

In the last two games of round 7 Taurages defeated Siauliai in a road game 91-81. Jonava beat Juventus at home 94-82.
The best stats of 7th round was 10 points and 10 rebounds by Jacob Wiley of Nevezis.



Lietkabelis - Neptunas 99-79:
The game in Panevezys supposed to be also quite interesting. 4th placed Neptunas (4-4) played at the court of sixth ranked Lietkabelis (4-4). Lietkabelis did not have too big problems and got a relatively easy victory 99-79 on Saturday. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Neptunas. It was a great evening for Swiss-American guard Alex Schumacher (190-2001, college: Seattle) who led his team to a victory scoring 29 points. Daniel Baslyk (198-2001) helped adding 19 points. At the losing side the former international center Martynas Echodas (206-1997) responded with 16 points and 8 rebounds (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field) and Dutch swingman Yannick Franke (196-1996) scored 19 points and 5 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Lietkabelis moved-up to fourth place, which they share with defeated Neptunas. Lietkabelis will meet at home higher ranked Rytas (#3) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Neptunas will play against Taurages and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Lietkabelis: S.Alex 29+2reb+3ast, K.Keondre 19+3reb+1ast, B.Daniel 19+4reb+2ast, J.Ognjen 16+1reb+3ast, V.Marius 7+2ast, M.Gabrielius 4+6reb+5ast
Neptunas: Y.Franke 19+5reb+2ast, M.Echodas 16+8reb+2ast, D.Tarolis 16+2reb+1ast, E.Fridriksson 12+1reb+9ast, E.Tubutis 7+3reb+1ast, L.Kreismontas 4+2reb

Siauliai - Taurages 81-91:
There was a minor upset when higher ranked Siauliai (3-5) was defeated at home by ninth ranked Taurages (3-5) 91-81 on Saturday. It was a great evening for forward Nojus Mineikis (201-2000) who led his team to a victory scoring 19 points. ex-international Vaidas Kariniauskas (199-1993) helped adding 16 points. Five Taurages players scored in double figures. At the losing side Swiss guard Selim Fofana (193-1999) responded with 17 points and American point guard Dayvion McKnight (183-2002, college: Xavier) scored 9 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Siauliai's coach Darius Songaila rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Taurages moved-up to seventh place, which they share with Siauliai and Juventus. Siauliai lost their third game in a row. Taurages will meet higher ranked Neptunas (#5) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Siauliai will play against Nevezis in Kedainiai and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Taurages: M.Nojus 19+2reb+2ast, B.Dovis 16+1reb+1ast, K.Vaidas 16+3reb+2ast, G.Benas 12+8reb, V.Andrii 11+5reb+4ast, H.Cam 6+3reb+8ast
Siauliai: S.Fofana 17+3reb+2ast, S.Jarumbauskas 13+4reb+1ast, E.Reid III 10+3reb+1ast, D.McKnight 9+7reb+4ast, T.Jogela 8+2reb, M.Pacevicius 8+5reb+1ast

Jonava - Juventus 94-82:
We could consider it a predictable result in the game between close teams when eighth ranked Jonava (3-4) defeated at home 7th ranked Juventus (3-5) 94-82 on Saturday. Jonava made 23-of-30 free shots (76.7 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. It was a great evening for American guard Nick Johnson (193-2001, college: Winthrop) who led his team to a victory scoring 29 points and 4 assists. His fellow American import forward Clevon Brown Jr (203-1998, college: FIU) helped adding 18 points, 6 rebounds and 4 blocks (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field). At the losing side American guard Tevian Jones (201-2000, college: SUU) responded with 19 points and 7 rebounds and international Laurynas Beliauskas (194-1997) scored 18 points (made all of his seven free throws). Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players saving starting five for next games. Jonava moved-up to sixth place. Loser Juventus keeps the seventh position with five games lost. They share it with Siauliai and Taurages. Jonava will meet at home league's second-placed Gargzdai in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Juventus will play against the league's leader Zalgiris (#1) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Jonava: J.Nick 29+4reb+4ast, B.Clevon 18+6reb+2ast, R.Matas 17+3reb+2ast, M.Reggie 11+3reb+2ast, L.Tim 9+4reb+6ast, S.Donatas 4+4reb+3ast
Juventus: T.Jones 19+7reb+2ast, L.Beliauskas 18+3reb+2ast, C.Hunter 12+2reb+6ast, S.Beniusis 10+4reb, J.Pagenkopf 7+2reb+4ast, K.Pohto 6+5reb+1ast

Rytas - Zalgiris 89-94:
An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Vilnius. Leader Zalgiris faced 3rd placed Rytas. Guests from Kaunas (8-0) defeated host Rytas (4-2) 94-89. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Rytas. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Dustin Sleva (203-1995, college: Shippensburg) who helped to win the game recording 24 points and 9 rebounds. ex-international center Jonas Valanciunas (211-1992) contributed with 15 points and 7 rebounds for the winners. Zalgiris' coach Tomas Masiulis used entire bench in such tough game. The former international guard Augustas Marciulionis (193-2002, college: SMC) answered with 24 points and American point guard Cassius Winston (185-1997, college: Michigan St.) added 15 points in the effort for Rytas. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Zalgiris have an impressive series of eight victories in a row. Defending champion maintains first place with 8-0 record. Rytas at the other side keeps the third position with two games lost. Zalgiris will play against Juventus (#7) in Utena in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Rytas will play on the road against Lietkabelis (#4) in Panevezys and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Zalgiris: S.Dustin 24+9reb+1ast, V.Jonas 15+7reb+2ast, E.Carsen 14+4reb+3ast, G.Marius 12+1reb+2ast, G.Dovydas 9+2reb+4ast, L.Maodo 7
Rytas: A.Marciulionis 24+2reb+3ast, A.Gudaitis 16+3reb+2ast, C.Winston 15+4reb+3ast, G.Radzevicius 10+7reb, M.Devoe 8+4reb+6ast, G.Masiulis 6+3reb+1ast

Nevezis - Gargzdai 87-76:
The game between second ranked Gargzdai (5-3) and tenth ranked Nevezis (1-6) was the most important one in the last round on Monday night. Gargzdai was defeated by Nevezis in Kedainiai 87-76. American guard Xander Rice (190-2001, college: Monmouth, agency: Octagon Europe) fired 21 points for the winners. French-British guard Flynn Boardman-Raffett (196-2002, college: Memorial) chipped in 20 points. Nevezis' coach Evaldas Berzininkaitis used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American-Syrian guard Stanley Davis Jr (196-1998, college: Morgan St.) produced 21 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists and Canadian power forward Ben Krikke (206-2001, college: Iowa) added 12 points and 8 rebounds respectively for lost side. Nevezis maintains tenth place with 1-6 record. Gargzdai at the other side keeps the second position with three games lost. Nevezis are looking forward to face higher ranked Siauliai (#8) at home in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Gargzdai will play against Jonava (#6) and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Nevezis: R.Xander 21+2reb+2ast, B.Flynn 20+3reb+2ast, W.Jacob 10+10reb+3ast, N.Bukauskas 10+3ast, P.Paulius 8+3reb+6ast, G.Aaron 8+6reb
Gargzdai: S.Davis Jr. 21+7reb+4ast, B.Krikke 12+8reb+1ast, A.Mikalauskas 12+7reb, E.Saulys 9+3reb, G.Shephard 9+2reb, J.Carlos 6+3reb+7ast