NKL Round 32 (Regular Season): Zalgiris II lose to Omega-Tauras

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most important game in the last round took place in Kaunas between third ranked Zalgiris II (20-8) and thirteenth ranked Omega-Tauras (12-18) on Saturday night. Zalgiris II was defeated by Omega-Tauras on the road 72-83. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Zalgiris II. Omega-Tauras made 23-of-29 free shots (79.3 percent) during the game. They also forced 20 Zalgiris II turnovers. 25 personal fouls committed by Zalgiris II helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Guard Vytautas Sulskis (201-1988, college: YSU, agency: BIG) orchestrated the victory by scoring 14 points and 7 rebounds. The former international point guard Sarunas Vasiliauskas (188-1989) contributed with 16 points and 4 assists for the winners. Guard Majus Bulanovas (193-2007) replied with 21 points for Zalgiris II. Zalgiris II's coach Rokas Kondratavicius rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Omega-Tauras maintains thirteenth position with 12-18 record. Zalgiris II at the other side keeps the third place with eight games lost. Omega-Tauras are looking forward to face higher ranked Jurbarkas (#10) on the road in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Zalgiris II will play against the league's leader Suduva-Mantinga (#1) and will have a slim chance for a victory.
An interesting game for Suduva-Mantinga (26-4) which hosted in Marijampole second-ranked Vytis (21-9). First ranked Suduva-Mantinga managed to get a 8-point victory 107-99. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Vytis. Worth to mention a great performance of Zygimantas Simonis (194-1995) who helped to win the game recording 24 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists and Domantas Vilys who added 23 points during the contest. point guard Titas Janusevicius (188-2001) responded with 30 points. Suduva-Mantinga have an impressive 16-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 26-4 record. Vytis at the other side keeps the second place with nine games lost. Suduva-Mantinga will play against Zalgiris II (#3) in Kaunas in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Vytis will play on the road against Neptunas-Akv. in Klaipeda and hopes to get back on the winning track.
A very close game took place in Mazeikiai between Mazeikiai and Jurbarkas. Ninth ranked Mazeikiai (16-14) got a very close home victory over 8th ranked Jurbarkas (15-14). Mazeikiai managed to escape with a 1-point win 84-83 in the fight for the eighth place. The winners were led by Coltie Young who scored that evening 23 points and 4 steals (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field). Even 17 points and 8 rebounds (perfect from the field making all seven shots !!!) by Karolis Guscikas did not help to save the game for Jurbarkas. Mazeikiai have a solid four-game winning streak. They moved-up to eighth place. Loser Jurbarkas dropped to the ninth position with 14 games lost. They share it with Rytas 2. Mazeikiai will meet P.Olimpas (#16) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Jurbarkas will play against Omega-Tauras (#13) and hope to secure a win.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 32: Silute was beaten by Kedainiai on the road 89-85. P.Olimpas won against Alytus on its own court 102-95. Palanga unfortunately lost to Telsiai in a road game 90-97. Kretinga recorded a loss to Neptunas-Akv. at home 77-88.
The most impressive performance of 32th round was 14 points and 4 steals by Simas Sliogeris of Omega-Tauras.



Kedainiai - Silute 89-85

No shocking result in a game when fourth ranked Kedainiai (18-11) beat 12th ranked Silute (13-17) in Kedainiu 89-85 on Saturday. However just four-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. Kedainiai forced 20 Silute turnovers. The winners were led by forward Rokas Uzas (202-1988) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 27 points, 13 rebounds and 7 assists and point guard Laurynas Danielius (182-1998) supported him with 23 points and 5 assists. Even a double-double of 17 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists by power forward Norbertas Giga (208-1995, college: Jax State) did not help to save the game for Silute. American Gerrale Gates (198-2000, college: Holy Cross) added 16 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists for the guests. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Kedainiai maintains fourth position with 18-11 record. Loser Silute keeps the twelfth place with 17 games lost. Kedainiai will meet Vilkaviskis (#6) on the road in the next round. Silute will play against Telsiai (#5) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Silute: D.Hutchinson 18+1reb+1ast, N.Jankunas 18+5reb+3ast, N.Giga 17+12reb+5ast, G.Gates 16+10reb+4ast, L.Kazlauskas 6+8reb+8ast, J.Jucikas 6+1reb+1ast
Kedainiai: U.Rokas 27+13reb+7ast, L.Danielius 23+4reb+5ast, L.Ignas 14+7reb+1ast, P.Semaska 10+5reb+5ast, K.Arminas 6+3reb, A.Zilinskas 5+7reb+1ast

Mazeikiai - Jurbarkas 84-83

A very close game took place in Mazeikiai between Mazeikiai and Jurbarkas. Ninth ranked Mazeikiai (16-14) got a very close home victory over 8th ranked Jurbarkas (15-14). Mazeikiai managed to escape with a 1-point win 84-83 in the fight for the eighth place. Mazeikiai forced 21 Jurbarkas turnovers. The winners were led by American guard Coltie Young (190-2003, college: ULM) who scored that evening 23 points and 4 steals (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field) and the other American import point guard Nickolas Neal (184-1988, college: Purdue-NCent.) supported him with 18 points and 4 assists. Even 17 points and 8 rebounds (perfect from the field making all seven shots !!!) by power forward Karolis Guscikas (206-1992, agency: BIG) did not help to save the game for Jurbarkas. point guard Karolis Babusis (190-2000) added 22 points for the guests. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Mazeikiai have a solid four-game winning streak. They moved-up to eighth place. Loser Jurbarkas dropped to the ninth position with 14 games lost. They share it with Rytas 2. Mazeikiai will meet P.Olimpas (#16) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Jurbarkas will play against Omega-Tauras (#13) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Jurbarkas: K.Babusis 22+4reb+1ast, K.Guscikas 17+8reb+2ast, M.Gintautas 14+5reb+1ast, K.Karolis 10+4reb+2ast, A.Arnas 9+1reb+6ast, J.Tamulis 6+1ast
Mazeikiai: C.Young 23+4reb+3ast, N.Nickolas 18+4reb+4ast, E.Narusevicius 16+4reb+1ast, E.DeAngelo 12+2reb+2ast, M.Gediminas 6+4reb, S.Jokubas 5+6reb+2ast

P.Olimpas - Alytus 102-95

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 17th ranked Alytus' (5-25) road loss to sixteenth ranked P.Olimpas (7-22) in Plunge 95-102 on Saturday. P.Olimpas forced 20 Alytus turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 33 assists comparing to just 15 passes made by Alytus' players. American players dominated the game. The winners were led by point guard Najeeb Muhammad (187-2001, college: SUU) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 15 points, 5 rebounds, 12 assists and 8 steals and Colin Golson Jr (196-2000, college: WSU) supported him with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Golson Jr. is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. P.Olimpas' coach Mindaugas Tamusauskas used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Even 35 points (!!!) and 8 rebounds by forward Ronnie DeGray III (198, college: Wichita St., agency: Diamond Sports) did not help to save the game for Alytus. point guard Robert Waters-Johnson (185-1994, college: Wayland Baptist) added 26 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists (was perfect 9-for-9 from the free throw line !!!) for the guests. Five P.Olimpas and four Alytus players scored in double figures. P.Olimpas maintains sixteenth position with 7-22 record. Alytus lost fifth consecutive game. They stay dead last with 25 lost games. P.Olimpas will meet at home higher ranked Mazeikiai (#8) in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Alytus will play against Stekas (#15) in Vilnius and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Alytus: R.DeGray III 35+8reb+2ast, R.Waters-Johnson 26+6reb+6ast, N.Scott 17+12reb+5ast, S.Tomas 10+1reb+1ast, J.Norkus 6+6reb, P.Martynas 1+1reb+1ast
P.Olimpas: M.Thomas 22+3reb+1ast, A.Adomauskas 15+2ast, M.Najeeb 15+5reb+12ast, G.Colin 13+11reb+3ast, B.Tadas 11+3reb+2ast, B.Tautvydas 11+3reb+3ast

Suduva-Mantinga - Vytis 107-99

An interesting game for Suduva-Mantinga (26-4) which hosted in Marijampole second-ranked Vytis (21-9). First ranked Suduva-Mantinga managed to get a 8-point victory 107-99. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Vytis. Suduva-Mantinga made 16-of-19 charity shots (84.2 percent) during the game. Worth to mention a great performance of Zygimantas Simonis (194-1995) who helped to win the game recording 24 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists and guard Domantas Vilys (188-2000) who added 23 points during the contest. point guard Titas Janusevicius (188-2001) responded with 30 points and Gabrielius Celka (198-2001) scored 17 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Five Suduva-Mantinga and four Vytis players scored in double figures. Suduva-Mantinga have an impressive 16-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 26-4 record. Vytis at the other side keeps the second place with nine games lost. Suduva-Mantinga will play against Zalgiris II (#3) in Kaunas in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Vytis will play on the road against Neptunas-Akv. in Klaipeda and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Vytis: T.Janusevicius 30+2reb+1ast, C.Gabrielius 17+7reb+4ast, J.Rokas 14+3reb+1ast, G.Mazeika 12+4reb+1ast, R.Jokubas 9+1reb+5ast, L.Kajus 8+2reb+1ast
Suduva-Mantinga: S.Zygimantas 24+5reb+5ast, V.Domantas 23+3ast, A.Pukelis 15+1ast, J.Ernestas 14+4reb, K.Tautvydas 14+3reb+5ast, J.Matas 6+6reb

Telsiai - Palanga 97-90

Very predictable result when sixth ranked Telsiai (17-13) won against at home 14th ranked Palanga (11-19) 97-90 on Saturday. Telsiai looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The winners were led by Ovidijus Kaminskis (195-1991) who scored that evening 25 points and 6 rebounds (on 11-of-12 shooting from the field) and the former international guard Martynas Gecevicius (193-1988) supported him with 15 points and 4 assists. Even 24 points (on 10-of-13 shooting from the field) by point guard Nojus Pabrieza (180-2004) did not help to save the game for Palanga. point guard Mindaugas Stasys (179-1986) added 18 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists for the guests. Five Telsiai and four Palanga players scored in double figures. Telsiai moved-up to fifth place. Palanga lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the fourteenth position with 19 games lost. Telsiai will meet Silute (#12) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Palanga will play against Kretinga and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Palanga: P.Nojus 24+4reb+1ast, P.Danisevicius 20+4ast, S.Mindaugas 18+5reb+5ast, M.Narvilas 13+2reb+2ast, T.Barnies 7+6reb+1ast, B.Ernestas 6+1ast
Telsiai: O.Kaminskis 25+6reb+3ast, G.Martynas 15+3reb+4ast, I.Razutis 14+1reb+5ast, R.Arunas 12+1reb+1ast, S.Jared 11+4reb+2ast, D.Rasys 9+1reb+3ast

Kretinga - Neptunas-Akv. 77-88

Not a big story in a game when 11th ranked Kretinga (14-16) lost at home to seventh ranked Neptunas-Akv. (16-13) 88-77 on Saturday. The winners were led by Rokas Maciulis (194-2000) who scored that evening 19 points and 6 rebounds (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field) and guard Ernestas Jonkus (187-1999, agency: BIG) supported him with 13 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Neptunas-Akv.'s coach Tomas Gaidamavicius used an eleven-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Even 12 points and 9 rebounds by center Rytis Zabita (199-1994) did not help to save the game for Kretinga. American power forward Justin Young (202-1998, college: CPP) added 18 points for the hosts. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Neptunas-Akv. have an impressive nine-game winning streak. They moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Vilkaviskis. Loser Kretinga keeps the eleventh position with 16 games lost. Neptunas-Akv. will meet at home league's second-placed Vytis in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Kretinga will play against Palanga (#14) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Kretinga: Y.Justin 18+3reb+1ast, G.Macionis 12+2reb, Z.Rytis 12+9reb+2ast, S.Vytautas 10+2reb+2ast, J.Ziubrys 9+1reb, J.Warren 9+3reb+5ast
Neptunas-Akv.: R.Maciulis 19+6reb+2ast, R.Dziugas 13+3reb, J.Ernestas 13+6reb+4ast, K.Lesciauskas 12+1reb+4ast, S.Rytis 9+1reb, Z.Eimantas 8+5reb+1ast

Omega-Tauras - Zalgiris II 83-72

The most important game in the last round took place in Kaunas between third ranked Zalgiris II (20-8) and thirteenth ranked Omega-Tauras (12-18) on Saturday night. Zalgiris II was defeated by Omega-Tauras on the road 72-83. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Zalgiris II. Omega-Tauras made 23-of-29 free shots (79.3 percent) during the game. They also forced 20 Zalgiris II turnovers. 25 personal fouls committed by Zalgiris II helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Guard Vytautas Sulskis (201-1988, college: YSU, agency: BIG) orchestrated the victory by scoring 14 points and 7 rebounds. The former international point guard Sarunas Vasiliauskas (188-1989) contributed with 16 points and 4 assists for the winners. Guard Majus Bulanovas (193-2007) replied with 21 points and point guard Dominykas Grunkis (164-2007) added 12 points in the effort for Zalgiris II. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Zalgiris II's coach Rokas Kondratavicius rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Omega-Tauras maintains thirteenth position with 12-18 record. Zalgiris II at the other side keeps the third place with eight games lost. Omega-Tauras are looking forward to face higher ranked Jurbarkas (#10) on the road in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Zalgiris II will play against the league's leader Suduva-Mantinga (#1) and will have a slim chance for a victory.
Top scorers:
Zalgiris II: B.Majus 21+1reb+1ast, D.Grunkis 12+2reb+3ast, A.Sten-Markus 11+1reb, R.Nedas 11+3reb+2ast, M.Kajus 6+4reb+3ast, S.Ignas 6+5reb+1ast
Omega-Tauras: V.Sarunas 16+1reb+4ast, S.Sliogeris 14+2reb+3ast, S.Vytautas 14+7reb+1ast, T.Aliukonis 13+5reb, K.Robertas 9+6reb+2ast, T.Galeckas 7+2reb+7ast