LKL Round 16 (Regular Season): Rytas are upset by Gargzdu

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most important game in the last round took place in Gargzdai between second ranked Rytas (9-5) and seventh ranked Gargzdu (6-9) on Saturday night. Rytas was defeated by Gargzdu in a tough game on the road 78-82. Gargzdu made 20-of-24 free shots (83.3 percent) during the game. American guard Justin Turner (193-1998, college: BGSU) fired 19 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. The other American import guard Jalon Pipkins (193-1998, college: PFW) chipped in 15 points. American-Polish point guard Jerrick Harding (185-1998, college: Weber St.) produced 23 points and 5 rebounds (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field) for lost side. Rytas' coach Giedrius Zibenas rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Gargzdu maintains seventh position with 6-9 record. Rytas lost third consecutive game. They keep the second place with five games lost. They share the position with Neptunas. Gargzdu will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Rytas will play at home against Juventus and is hoping to win this game.
Leader Zalgiris delivered the thirteenth victory. This time they beat 5th ranked Siauliai (7-7) 75-71. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Siauliai. Worth to mention a great performance of American Dustin Sleva (203-1995, college: Shippensburg) who helped to win the game recording 13 points. Deividas Sirvydis contributed with 13 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. Center Oskaras Pleikys (201-2001, agency: BIG) replied with 12 points and 9 rebounds for Siauliai. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Zalgiris (13-1) have an impressive nine-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains first position. Siauliai at the other side keeps the fifth place with seven games lost. Zalgiris will play against Nevezis (#8) in Kedainiai in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Siauliai will play on the road against Jonava and hopes to get back on the winning track.
The game with biggest result difference took place in Klaipeda. Local Neptunas (9-5) outscored 8th ranked Nevezis (4-11) 113-82 on Saturday night. Worth to mention a quality performance of Harrison Cleary who helped to win the game recording 18 points and 5 assists. At the losing side Tyler Peterson responded with 17 points. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Neptunas moved-up to second place, which they share with Rytas. Loser Nevezis keeps the eighth position with 11 games lost. Neptunas will meet at home Lietkabelis (#4) in the next round. Nevezis will play against the league's leader Zalgiris (#1) in Kaunas and hope to secure a win.

In the last game of round 16 bottom-ranked Jonava was defeated by Juventus in Utena 104-95.
The best stats of 16th round was 22 points and 5 assists by Makai Ashton-Langford of Jonava.



Gargzdu - Rytas 82-78

The most important game in the last round took place in Gargzdai between second ranked Rytas (9-5) and seventh ranked Gargzdu (6-9) on Saturday night. Rytas was defeated by Gargzdu in a tough game on the road 78-82. Gargzdu made 20-of-24 free shots (83.3 percent) during the game. American guard Justin Turner (193-1998, college: BGSU) fired 19 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. The other American import guard Jalon Pipkins (193-1998, college: PFW) chipped in 15 points. American-Polish point guard Jerrick Harding (185-1998, college: Weber St.) produced 23 points and 5 rebounds (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field) and the former international center Arturas Gudaitis (211-1993) added 12 points and 11 rebounds respectively for lost side. Rytas' coach Giedrius Zibenas rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Gargzdu maintains seventh position with 6-9 record. Rytas lost third consecutive game. They keep the second place with five games lost. They share the position with Neptunas. Gargzdu will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Rytas will play at home against Juventus and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Gargzdu: T.Justin 19+5reb, P.Jalon 15+4reb+2ast, D.Gailius 12+8reb+1ast, M.Martins 11+2reb, M.Nojus 9+3reb, L.Vaistaras 8+5reb+1ast
Rytas: J.Harding 23+5reb, J.Walker 14+2reb+7ast, A.Gudaitis 12+11reb+1ast, L.Simonas 9+6reb+1ast, J.Caroline 7+7reb, J.Wiley 6+5reb+2ast

Neptunas - Nevezis 113-82

The game with biggest result difference took place in Klaipeda. Local Neptunas (9-5) outscored 8th ranked Nevezis (4-11) 113-82 on Saturday night. Neptunas made 27-of-34 free shots (79.4 percent) during the game. Neptunas outrebounded Nevezis 41-28 including 17 on the offensive glass. Neptunas looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. Worth to mention a quality performance of American point guard Harrison Cleary (185-1997, college: UMC) who helped to win the game recording 18 points and 5 assists and the former international Donatas Tarolis (205-1994) who added 12 points and 8 rebounds during the contest. Five Neptunas players scored in double figures. At the losing side American guard Tyler Peterson (193-1998, college: S.Dakota) responded with 17 points and his fellow American import guard Trenton McLaughlin (198-2001, college: NAU) scored 9 points and 5 assists. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Neptunas moved-up to second place, which they share with Rytas. Loser Nevezis keeps the eighth position with 11 games lost. Neptunas will meet at home Lietkabelis (#4) in the next round. Nevezis will play against the league's leader Zalgiris (#1) in Kaunas and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Neptunas: C.Harrison 18+5ast, L.Rihards 17+1reb+1ast, W.Zane 16+2reb, T.Donatas 12+8reb+2ast, K.Vitalijus 10+10reb+1ast, V.Arnas 10+3reb+9ast
Nevezis: T.Peterson 17+3reb+2ast, S.Miguel 13+3reb, E.Chargois 11+2reb+3ast, M.Justinas 9+6reb+1ast, M.Trenton 9+3reb+5ast, J.Muila 6+6reb+1ast

Siauliai - Zalgiris 71-75

Leader Zalgiris delivered the thirteenth victory. This time they beat 5th ranked Siauliai (7-7) 75-71. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Siauliai. Worth to mention a great performance of American Dustin Sleva (203-1995, college: Shippensburg) who helped to win the game recording 13 points. International swingman Deividas Sirvydis (204-2000) contributed with 13 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. Center Oskaras Pleikys (201-2001, agency: BIG) replied with 12 points and 9 rebounds and Swiss guard Selim Fofana (193-1999) added 12 points in the effort for Siauliai. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Zalgiris (13-1) have an impressive nine-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains first position. Siauliai at the other side keeps the fifth place with seven games lost. Zalgiris will play against Nevezis (#8) in Kedainiai in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Siauliai will play on the road against Jonava and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Zalgiris: S.Dustin 13+3reb+3ast, S.Deividas 13+5reb, B.Laurynas 10+6reb+1ast, R.Mantas 8+2reb+1ast, B.Ignas 7+2reb+3ast, G.Dovydas 7+1reb+4ast
Siauliai: C.Stanley 15+4reb, S.Fofana 12+4reb+3ast, O.Pleikys 12+9reb+2ast, C.Henderson Jr. 9+5reb+1ast, D.McKnight 6+1reb, M.Valinskas 5+1ast

Juventus - Jonava 104-95

There was no surprise in Utena where 9th ranked Jonava (2-12) was defeated by seventh ranked Juventus (6-8) 104-95 on Sunday. Juventus made 19-of-21 free shots (90.5 percent) during the game. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Hassan Diarra (188-2001, college: UConn) who helped to win the game recording 18 points and 5 assists and the former international center Sarunas Beniusis (206-1993, agency: BIG) who added 17 points and 6 rebounds (perfect from the field making all six shots) during the contest. At the losing side American guard Makai Ashton-Langford (191-1998, college: Boston Coll.) responded with 22 points and 5 assists and forward Dziugas Slavinskas (202-1998) scored 19 points and 4 assists. Five Juventus and four Jonava players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Juventus moved-up to sixth place. Loser Jonava stay at the bottom position with 12 games lost. Juventus will meet league's second-placed Rytas in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Jonava will play against Siauliai (#5) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Juventus: D.Hassan 18+1reb+5ast, B.Sarunas 17+6reb, V.Erikas 13+5reb+1ast, U.Lukas 13+5reb+3ast, S.Donatas 12+1reb+2ast, V.Paulius 12+1reb+2ast
Jonava: M.Ashton-Langford 22+3reb+5ast, O.Carter III 20+5reb+2ast, D.Slavinskas 19+4reb+4ast, B.Krikke 16+2reb, A.Sidarevicius 9+2reb, L.Kreismontas 8+5reb+1ast