Moteru Lyga Round 3 (Regular Season): Zalgiris lose to Rytas

Round 3 means everything may happen in LKL as the season just started. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Zalgiris (3-1) recorded a loss in Vilnius on Sunday night. Visitors were edged by Rytas (2-1) 91-88. Rytas made 27-of-34 free shots (79.4 percent) during the game. Rytas outrebounded Zalgiris 39-19 including a 31-13 advantage in defensive rebounds. 27 personal fouls committed by Zalgiris helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. The best player for the winners was international Gytis Radzevicius (197-1995) who scored 20 points and 6 rebounds (went 7 for 7 at the free throw line). The former international Gytis Masiulis (206-1998) chipped in 9 points and 9 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was French point guard Sylvain Francisco (185-1997) who recorded 15 points, 8 assists and 4 steals. Zalgiris' coach Andrea Trinchieri tried various players' combinations and tested in total twelve players in this game, but that didn't help. Rytas is looking forward to face Lietkabelis in Panevezys in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Zalgiris will have a break next round.
The game in Mazeikiai was also worth to mention about. Wolves (2-1) played at the court of Mazeikiai (0-3). Wolves managed to secure a 9-point victory 95-86. It was a good game for American Andrew Andrews (188-1993, college: Washington) who led his team to a victory with 26 points (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). Matas Jogela contributed with 15 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. American guard AJ English (192-1992, college: Iona) answered with 26 points and 6 assists for Mazeikiai. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Wolves will play against Neptunas in Klaipeda in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Mazeikiai will play at home against Juventus (#6) and hopes to get finally their first victory.
The game in Jonava was also quite interesting. Siauliai (1-2) played at the court of Jonava (1-3). Jonava defeated Siauliai 104-93 on Saturday. It was a great evening for Koby McEwen who led his team to a victory scoring 30 points (went 9 for 9 at the free throw line !!!). The best for the losing side was Gerry Blakes with 24 points. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Jonava will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Siauliai will play against Nevezis (#10) and hope to win that game.

In the last two games of round 3 Lietkabelis defeated Nevezis in Panevezys 85-78. Juventus lost to undefeated Neptunas at home 92-99.
The best stats of 3rd round was 21 points and 7 rebounds by Gediminas Orelik of Juventus.



Nevezis - Lietkabelis 78-85

There was no surprise in Kedainiai where Nevezis (0-3) was defeated by Lietkabelis (3-0) 85-78 on Saturday. Lietkabelis had a 14-3 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. It was a great evening for Ukrainian point guard Oleksandr Kovliar (191-2002) who led his team to a victory scoring 23 points and 5 assists. Swingman Martynas Varnas (196-1997) helped adding 14 points and 6 rebounds (went 8 for 8 at the free throw line). The best for the losing side was Israeli point guard Amit Ebo (180-1999) with a double-double by scoring 11 points, 7 rebounds and 12 assists and Bosnian Fahrudin Manjgafic (207-1997) scored 20 points. Nevezis' coach Gediminas Petrauskas let to play ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Lietkabelis will meet at home Rytas (#4) in the next round. Nevezis will play against Siauliai (#7) and looks forward to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Nevezis: F.Manjgafic 20+3reb+3ast, J.Girard III 19+1reb+2ast, A.Ebo 11+7reb+12ast, D.Doualla 8+3reb, L.Nkereuwem 8+4reb, V.Kozys 6+3reb
Lietkabelis: O.Kovliar 23+4reb+5ast, M.Rubstavicius 14+3reb, M.Varnas 14+6reb+2ast, G.Kalaitzakis 9+1reb+2ast, V.Lipkevicius 8+4reb+5ast, G.Maldunas 6+9reb+2ast

Mazeikiai - Wolves 86-95

The game in Mazeikiai was also worth to mention about. Wolves (2-1) played at the court of Mazeikiai (0-3). Wolves managed to secure a 9-point victory 95-86. Wolves made 20-of-24 charity shots (83.3 percent) during the game. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 23 assists. Mazeikiai was plagued by 27 personal fouls down the stretch. It was a good game for American Andrew Andrews (188-1993, college: Washington) who led his team to a victory with 26 points (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). The former international Matas Jogela (201-1998) contributed with 15 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. American guard AJ English (192-1992, college: Iona) answered with 26 points and 6 assists and German Kay Bruhnke (204-2001) added 28 points in the effort for Mazeikiai. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Wolves will play against Neptunas in Klaipeda in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Mazeikiai will play at home against Juventus (#6) and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Mazeikiai: K.Bruhnke 28+4reb+3ast, A.English 26+4reb+6ast, S.Valunta 10+1reb, G.Staniulis 8+6reb+1ast, A.Urkis 5, T.Zdanavicius 5+4reb+1ast
Wolves: A.Andrews 26+2reb+2ast, M.Jogela 15+8reb+2ast, K.Zemaitis 11+1reb, A.Cowan Jr. 10+2reb+8ast, J.Taylor 9+2reb+3ast, G.Brooks 6+5reb+2ast

Jonava - Siauliai 104-93

The game in Jonava was also quite interesting. Siauliai (1-2) played at the court of Jonava (1-3). Jonava defeated Siauliai 104-93 on Saturday. Jonava made 18-of-22 free shots (81.8 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. It was a great evening for Canadian guard Koby McEwen (193-1997, college: Weber St.) who led his team to a victory scoring 30 points (went 9 for 9 at the free throw line !!!). American guard DJ Brewton (193-2000, college: CS Fullerton) helped adding 20 points and 4 assists. Four Jonava players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was American Gerry Blakes (193-1993, college: Arizona St.) with 24 points and center Mindaugas Kupsas (216-1991, agency: BIG) scored 16 points and 6 rebounds (went 8 for 8 at the free throw line). Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Jonava will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Siauliai will play against Nevezis (#10) and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Siauliai: G.Blakes 24+1reb+3ast, M.Valinskas 17+1reb+3ast, M.Kupsas 16+6reb+2ast, T.Jogela 11+2reb, S.Kulvietis 9+3reb+3ast, L.Uleckas 7+8reb+4ast
Jonava: K.McEwen 30+3reb+3ast, D.Brewton 20+4ast, E.Venskus 18+1reb+3ast, L.Kreismontas 13+2reb+3ast, B.Bliznyuk 7+7reb+6ast, M.Arlauskas 7+2reb

Rytas - Zalgiris 91-88

Zalgiris (3-1) recorded a loss in Vilnius on Sunday night. Visitors were edged by Rytas (2-1) 91-88. Rytas made 27-of-34 free shots (79.4 percent) during the game. Rytas outrebounded Zalgiris 39-19 including a 31-13 advantage in defensive rebounds. 27 personal fouls committed by Zalgiris helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. The best player for the winners was international Gytis Radzevicius (197-1995) who scored 20 points and 6 rebounds (went 7 for 7 at the free throw line). The former international Gytis Masiulis (206-1998) chipped in 9 points and 9 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was French point guard Sylvain Francisco (185-1997) who recorded 15 points, 8 assists and 4 steals and the former international Edgaras Ulanovas (199-1992) added 16 points and 4 assists respectively. Four Zalgiris players scored in double figures. Zalgiris' coach Andrea Trinchieri tried various players' combinations and tested in total twelve players in this game, but that didn't help. Rytas is looking forward to face Lietkabelis in Panevezys in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Zalgiris will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Zalgiris: E.Ulanovas 16+2reb+4ast, B.Dunston 16+2reb, S.Francisco 15+2reb+8ast, D.Sirvydis 14+3ast, M.Mitchell 6+1reb+1ast, T.Wallace 5+2reb+2ast
Rytas: G.Radzevicius 20+6reb, A.Tubelis 15+4reb, J.Graves 12+4reb+2ast, R.Cole 9+1reb+4ast, G.Masiulis 9+9reb+2ast, M.Paliukenas 7+2reb

Juventus - Neptunas 92-99

No shocking result in a game in Utena where Neptunas (3-0) defeated Juventus (1-2) 99-92 on Sunday. Neptunas made 20-of-26 free shots (76.9 percent) during the game. It was a great evening for American point guard Nate Johnson (193-1998, college: Xavier) who led his team to a victory scoring 17 points and 6 rebounds. Center Martynas Pacevicius (206-1997) helped adding 15 points and 9 rebounds. The best for the losing side was forward Gediminas Orelik (200-1990) with 21 points and 7 rebounds and Laurynas Beliauskas (194-1997) scored 20 points. Five Neptunas and four Juventus players scored in double figures. Juventus' coach Vytautas Buzas let to play eleven players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Neptunas will meet at home Wolves (#5) in the next round. Juventus will play against Mazeikiai and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Juventus: G.Orelik 21+7reb+2ast, L.Beliauskas 20+3reb+2ast, I.Miller 12+3reb, L.Thorpe 11+2reb+5ast, A.Toro 8+6reb+2ast, S.Beniusis 7+2reb
Neptunas: N.Johnson 17+6reb+2ast, M.Pacevicius 15+9reb, D.Buie 14+1reb+5ast, D.Gailius 13+2reb+1ast, Z.Waterman 13+3reb+1ast, A.Berucka 11+1reb+3ast