NKL Round 6 (Regular Season): Kedainiai edge Rytas 2 by three points

It's still too early stage of the Regular Season in NKL, 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 most exciting game of round 6 in the NKL took place in Vilnius. This derby game ended with only three-point home defeat of 6th ranked Rytas 2 (3-3) to third ranked Kedainiai (5-1) 93-90 on Sunday evening. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Rytas 2. Kedainiai looked well-organized offensively handing out 29 assists. 24 personal fouls committed by Rytas 2 helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. The best player for the winners was forward Rokas Uzas (202-1988) who had a double-double by scoring 26 points, 6 rebounds, 10 assists and 7 steals. Center Ignas Lukosius (202-1993) chipped in 18 points, 6 rebounds and 5 blocks. At the other side the best for losing team was who recorded 22 points and 4 assists. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Kedainiai have a solid three-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Zalgiris II and Vilkaviskis. Rytas 2 at the other side dropped to the eighth place with three games lost. They share the position with Silute. Kedainiai is looking forward to face Zalgiris II (#3) in Kaunas in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Rytas 2 will play at home against Jurbarkas (#10) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Vilkaviskis. First ranked Vilkaviskis faced 4th ranked Telsiai. Host Vilkaviskis (5-1) smashed guests from Telsiai (3-2) 99-74. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Telsiai. It was a good game for who led his team to a victory with a triple-double by scoring 10 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. Gabe Quillan contributed with 16 points and 7 rebounds for the winners. Vilkaviskis' coach Sarunas Zablockis felt very confident that he used 10 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Forward Rokas Uzas (202-1988) replied with a double-double by scoring 12 points and 10 rebounds for Telsiai. Vilkaviskis maintains first position with 5-1 record, which they share with Zalgiris II and Kedainiai. Telsiai at the other side dropped to the sixth place with two games lost. They share the position with Vytis. Vilkaviskis will play against P.Olimpas (#14) in Plunge in the next round which should be another easy win for them. Telsiai will play at home against Vytis (#7) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Stekas can celebrate finally their first win this season after four consecutive losses. The victory is especially important as they defeated much higher ranked Mazeikiai (2-4) 88-82 on Saturday. Rahsaan Edwards scored 33 points (!!!), 5 rebounds and 6 assists to lead the charge for the winners. Stekas' coach used a ten-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. The best for the losing side was Gediminas Mokseckas with 29 points and 6 rebounds. Stekas (1-4) left bottom position moving up to fifteenth place, which they share with Alytus. Loser Mazeikiai keeps the twelfth position with four games lost. They share it with Kretinga and P.Olimpas. Stekas will meet at home higher ranked Silute (#9) in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Mazeikiai will have a break next round.

Rest of the games of round 6 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Vytis defeated Palanga in Sakiai 85-83. P.Olimpas was beaten by Omega-Tauras at home 100-107. Kretinga won against Silute on the opponent's court 96-88. Zalgiris II managed to outperform Neptunas-Akv. in a home game 87-75. Suduva-Mantinga managed to beat Jurbarkas on the road 76-68.
The best stats of 6th round was 26 points by Ignas Labutis of Suduva-Mantinga.



Vilkaviskis - Telsiai 99-74

An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Vilkaviskis. First ranked Vilkaviskis faced 4th ranked Telsiai. Host Vilkaviskis (5-1) smashed guests from Telsiai (3-2) 99-74. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Telsiai. They outrebounded Telsiai 41-29 including 16 on the offensive glass. Vilkaviskis players were unselfish on offense dishing 23 assists. It was a good game for who led his team to a victory with a triple-double by scoring 10 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. American center Gabe Quillan (206-2002, college: Hope) contributed with 16 points and 7 rebounds for the winners. Vilkaviskis' coach Sarunas Zablockis felt very confident that he used 10 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Forward Rokas Uzas (202-1988) replied with a double-double by scoring 12 points and 10 rebounds and guard Arunas Rimkus (194-2004, agency: BIG) added 15 points in the effort for Telsiai. Five Vilkaviskis and four Telsiai players scored in double figures. Vilkaviskis maintains first position with 5-1 record, which they share with Zalgiris II and Kedainiai. Telsiai at the other side dropped to the sixth place with two games lost. They share the position with Vytis. Vilkaviskis will play against P.Olimpas (#14) in Plunge in the next round which should be another easy win for them. Telsiai will play at home against Vytis (#7) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Telsiai: A.Rimkus 15+2reb+1ast, R.Deividas 12+10reb+1ast, M.Gecevicius 11+3reb+2ast, K.Ovidijus 10+5reb, J.Small 8+2reb, M.Lotts 6+1reb
Vilkaviskis: J.Saterfield 20+4reb+1ast, M.Vytautas 18+2reb, G.Quillan 16+7reb+2ast, Z.Skucas 10+6reb, Z.Mantvydas 10+10reb+10ast, T.Pazarauskas 10+2reb+3ast

Palanga - Vytis 83-85

There was no surprise when 16th ranked Palanga (1-5) was edged at home by eleventh ranked Vytis (3-2) 85-83 on Saturday. Vytis looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. Point guard Titas Janusevicius (188-2001) had a double-double by scoring 14 points and 10 assists to lead the charge for the winners and chipped in 16 points and 6 assists during the contest. Five Vytis players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was power forward Antanas Udras (203-1992, agency: BIG) with 22 points and 5 rebounds and forward Matas Narvilas (199-2002, agency: BIG) scored 18 points and 6 assists. Vytis moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Telsiai. Palanga lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the bottom position with five games lost. Vytis will meet Telsiai (#6) on the road in the next round. Palanga will play against Alytus (#15) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Palanga: A.Udras 22+5reb+1ast, M.Narvilas 18+3reb+6ast, P.Nojus 14+6reb, L.Mikalauskas 8+3reb, J.Glover 7+4reb, S.Mindaugas 6+4reb+7ast
Vytis: J.Rokas 16+4reb+6ast, L.Kajus 16+3reb+2ast, A.Mikstas 14+4reb, T.Janusevicius 14+3reb+10ast, V.Nojus 12+6reb+2ast, R.Jokubas 10+6reb+2ast

P.Olimpas - Omega-Tauras 100-107

No shocking result in a game in Plunge where seventh ranked Omega-Tauras (4-2) defeated 12th ranked P.Olimpas (2-4) 107-100 on Saturday. Omega-Tauras made 27-of-29 free shots (93.1 percent) during the game. The former international point guard Sarunas Vasiliauskas (188-1989) scored 24 points and 7 assists to lead the charge for the winners and chipped in 13 points and 5 assists during the contest. Omega-Tauras' coach Giedrius Kurtinaitis used an eleven-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. The best for the losing side was center Tadas Budrys (205-2002) with a double-double by scoring 16 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists and American Colin Golson Jr (196-2000, college: WSU) scored 28 points. Five Omega-Tauras and four P.Olimpas players scored in double figures. Omega-Tauras moved-up to fourth place. Loser P.Olimpas keeps the twelfth position with four games lost. They share it with Mazeikiai and Kretinga. Omega-Tauras will meet at home Suduva-Mantinga (#5) in the next round. P.Olimpas will play against the league's leader Vilkaviskis (#1) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
P.Olimpas: C.Golson Jr. 28+3reb+1ast, M.Jurkaitis 18+1reb+5ast, T.Budrys 16+12reb+5ast, T.Miles 15+1reb+5ast, V.Arnas 8+1reb, M.Motiejus 8+2reb+1ast
Omega-Tauras: S.Vasiliauskas 24+1reb+7ast, V.Sulskis 17, S.Simas 13+2reb+1ast, V.Nedas 13+2reb+5ast, J.Ignas 12+5reb, L.Krivickas 11+1ast

Rytas 2 - Kedainiai 90-93

The most exciting game of round 6 in the NKL took place in Vilnius. This derby game ended with only three-point home defeat of 6th ranked Rytas 2 (3-3) to third ranked Kedainiai (5-1) 93-90 on Sunday evening. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Rytas 2. Kedainiai looked well-organized offensively handing out 29 assists. 24 personal fouls committed by Rytas 2 helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. The best player for the winners was forward Rokas Uzas (202-1988) who had a double-double by scoring 26 points, 6 rebounds, 10 assists and 7 steals. Center Ignas Lukosius (202-1993) chipped in 18 points, 6 rebounds and 5 blocks. Five Kedainiai players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was who recorded 22 points and 4 assists and added 18 points and 8 rebounds respectively. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Kedainiai have a solid three-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Zalgiris II and Vilkaviskis. Rytas 2 at the other side dropped to the eighth place with three games lost. They share the position with Silute. Kedainiai is looking forward to face Zalgiris II (#3) in Kaunas in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Rytas 2 will play at home against Jurbarkas (#10) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Rytas 2: U.Ignas 22+4reb+4ast, J.Gabrielius 18+8reb+2ast, L.Mantas 15+1reb+1ast, D.Kasparas 9+7reb+2ast, G.Bubnys 9, K.Gantas 6+4reb+2ast
Kedainiai: R.Uzas 26+6reb+10ast, I.Lukosius 18+6reb, M.Kuprijanovas 12+8reb+1ast, D.Laurynas 12+5reb+7ast, S.Paulius 11+2reb+6ast, A.Kelmelis 5+4reb+1ast

Silute - Kretinga 88-96

There was an upset when higher ranked Silute (3-3) was defeated at home by fourteenth ranked Kretinga (2-4) 96-88 on Saturday. had a double-double by scoring 24 points, 17 rebounds and 5 assists to lead the charge for the winners and swingman Gytis Macionis (195-2001) chipped in 27 points and 6 rebounds during the contest. The best for the losing side was guard Nojus Jankunas (194-2001) with 21 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists and center Julius Jucikas (204-1989, agency: BIG) scored 19 points and 6 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Kretinga moved-up to twelfth place, which they share with Mazeikiai and P.Olimpas. Loser Silute dropped to the eighth position with three games lost. They share it with Rytas 2. Kretinga will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Silute will play against Stekas (#16) in Vilnius and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Silute: N.Jankunas 21+5reb+4ast, J.Jucikas 19+6reb+1ast, G.Gates 14+5reb+2ast, D.Hutchinson 14, L.Kazlauskas 13+3reb+10ast, N.Giga 5+11reb
Kretinga: G.Macionis 27+6reb+1ast, K.Julius 24+17reb+5ast, J.Warren 16+2reb+3ast, M.Staniulis 11+2reb+4ast, J.Ziubrys 9+2reb, R.Tautvydas 5+1ast

Stekas - Mazeikiai 88-82

Stekas can celebrate finally their first win this season after four consecutive losses. The victory is especially important as they defeated much higher ranked Mazeikiai (2-4) 88-82 on Saturday. Stekas made 18-of-23 free shots (78.3 percent) during the game. American point guard Rahsaan Edwards (183, college: Florida Tech) scored 33 points (!!!), 5 rebounds and 6 assists to lead the charge for the winners and Robert Subotkevic (203-1998) chipped in 20 points and 6 rebounds during the contest. Stekas' coach used a ten-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. The best for the losing side was with 29 points and 6 rebounds and the former international Mindaugas Motuzas (202-1996) scored 14 points. Four Mazeikiai players scored in double figures. Stekas (1-4) left bottom position moving up to fifteenth place, which they share with Alytus. Loser Mazeikiai keeps the twelfth position with four games lost. They share it with Kretinga and P.Olimpas. Stekas will meet at home higher ranked Silute (#9) in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Mazeikiai will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Mazeikiai: M.Gediminas 29+6reb+3ast, M.Motuzas 14+4reb+1ast, J.Stropus 11+6reb+1ast, Y.Coltie 10+2reb+2ast, R.Gadiliauskas 6+4reb, D.Epps 5+7reb
Stekas: R.Edwards 33+5reb+6ast, R.Subotkevic 20+6reb+3ast, B.Dominykas 10+6reb+2ast, R.Kyllian 8+1reb+3ast, S.Justas 6+2reb, S.Vytautas 4+1reb+1ast

Zalgiris II - Neptunas-Akv. 87-75

Very predictable result in Kaunas where third ranked Zalgiris II (5-1) beat 11th ranked Neptunas-Akv. (2-3) 87-75 on Saturday. had a double-double by scoring 15 points and 11 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and chipped in 14 points during the contest. The best for the losing side was American point guard Rahsaan Edwards (183, college: Florida Tech) with 15 points and 5 assists and Robert Subotkevic (203-1998) scored 16 points and 5 rebounds. Both coaches tested many bench players saving starting five for next games. Zalgiris II keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Kedainiai and Vilkaviskis. Loser Neptunas-Akv. dropped to the tenth place with three games lost. They share the position with Jurbarkas. Zalgiris II will meet league's second-placed Kedainiai in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Neptunas-Akv. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Neptunas-Akv.: M.Rokas 16+5reb+2ast, L.Kristupas 15+4reb+5ast, R.Sakaitis 10+1reb+5ast, E.Jonkus 9+5reb+2ast, S.Simas 8+1reb+4ast, K.Metrikis 6+2reb
Zalgiris II: R.Nedas 15+11reb+2ast, B.Majus 14+2reb+3ast, R.Jokubas 13+4reb+2ast, B.Maksim 10+3reb+1ast, S.Ignas 8+6reb+1ast, D.Grunkis 7+1reb+1ast

Jurbarkas - Suduva-Mantinga 68-76

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 10th ranked Jurbarkas' (2-3) home loss to ninth ranked Suduva-Mantinga (3-1) 68-76 on Saturday. Suduva-Mantinga made 17-of-21 free shots (81.0 percent) during the game. They also forced 21 Jurbarkas turnovers. Ignas Labutis (199-1994) scored 26 points to lead the charge for the winners and center Matas Jucikas (205-1994, agency: BIG) chipped in 10 points and 8 rebounds during the contest. Four Suduva-Mantinga players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was point guard Sarunas Valunta (192-2000) with 12 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists and scored 16 points and 5 rebounds. Suduva-Mantinga moved-up to fifth place. Loser Jurbarkas keeps the tenth position with three games lost. They share it with Neptunas-Akv.. Suduva-Mantinga will meet higher ranked Omega-Tauras (#4) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Jurbarkas will play against Rytas 2 (#8) in Vilnius and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Jurbarkas: K.Karolis 16+5reb, J.Tamulis 15+2reb+2ast, S.Valunta 12+5reb+4ast, T.Balciunas 8+5reb+1ast, K.Guscikas 6+6reb+3ast, M.Gintautas 5+9reb
Suduva-Mantinga: I.Labutis 26+4reb+2ast, M.Jucikas 10+8reb+1ast, M.Zigmantavicius 10+1reb+3ast, D.Vilys 10+1reb+6ast, Z.Simonis 9+3reb+3ast, J.Fahrenholtz 8+3reb