NKL Round 4 (Second Stage): Suduva-Mantinga defeat Vytis in the game between Top 4 teams

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

An interesting game for Suduva-Mantinga (30-5) which hosted in Marijampole their biggest opponent Vytis (24-10). First ranked Suduva-Mantinga managed to get a 7-point victory 98-91. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Vytis. Suduva-Mantinga made 19-of-22 free shots (86.4 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of Marijus Uzupis (197-1993) who helped to win the game recording 25 points (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field). Aurelijus Pukelis (205-1994) contributed with 19 points for the winners. point guard Titas Janusevicius (188-2001) replied with 26 points and 4 assists for Vytis. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Suduva-Mantinga maintains first position with 30-5 record. Vytis at the other side keeps the second place with ten games lost. Suduva-Mantinga will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Vytis will play at home against Rytas 2 and is hoping to prove to their fans that the loss was just an accident.
The game in Mazeikiai was also worth to mention about. One of their biggest challengers Kedainiai (21-13) played at the court of fifth ranked Mazeikiai (19-15). Mazeikiai managed to secure a 7-point victory 86-79. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Kedainiai. Worth to mention a great performance of American point guard Nickolas Neal (184-1988, college: Purdue-NCent.) who helped to win the game recording 26 points, 7 rebounds, 9 assists and 5 steals (made all of his seven free throws) and Coltie Young who added 18 points during the contest. At the losing side forward Rokas Uzas (202-1988) responded with 17 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists (made all of his nine free throws !!!). Mazeikiai maintains fifth position with 19-15 record, which they share with Rytas 2. Kedainiai at the other side keeps the fourth place with 13 games lost. Mazeikiai will play against Vilkaviskis (#7) on the road in the next round. Kedainiai will play against Telsiai and hopes to get back on the winning track.
The game in Telsiai was also quite interesting. Third ranked Zalgiris II (24-11) played at the court of 7th ranked Telsiai (18-16). Zalgiris II defeated Telsiai 93-83 on Tuesday. The winners were led by Jokubas Rudaitis who scored that evening 22 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. Even 24 points and 5 assists by Martynas Gecevicius did not help to save the game for Telsiai. Zalgiris II have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain third position with 24-11 record having just two point less than leader Suduva-Mantinga. Loser Telsiai keeps the seventh place with 16 games lost. They share the position with Vilkaviskis. Zalgiris II will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Telsiai will play against Kedainiai (#4) in Kedainiu and hope to secure a win.

Other games in round 4 were not that significant. Kretinga was smashed by Neptunas-Akv. on the road 86-58. Omega-Tauras lost to Palanga on its own court 65-80. Stekas unfortunately lost to P.Olimpas in Plunge 82-98. Silute managed to beat Alytus at home 89-72. Vilkaviskis was defeated by Rytas 2 on the opponent's court 87-74.
The most impressive performance of 4th round was 17 points and 9 assists by Nikas Stuknys of Rytas 2.



Neptunas-Akv. - Kretinga 86-58

No shocking result in a game when ninth ranked Neptunas-Akv. (21-15) crushed 11th ranked Kretinga (17-19) in Klaipeda 86-58 on Thursday. Neptunas-Akv. forced 19 Kretinga turnovers and outrebounded them 40-29 including 26 on the defensive glass. Neptunas-Akv. looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. The winners were led by point guard Rytis Sakaitis (193-2004) who scored that evening 15 points and 8 rebounds and center Matas Macijauskas (210-2002) supported him with 9 points, 12 rebounds and 4 blocks. Four Neptunas-Akv. players scored in double figures. Even 11 points and 8 rebounds by center Rytis Zabita (199-1994) did not help to save the game for Kretinga. Forward Julius Kazakauskas (196-1990) added 8 points and 8 rebounds for lost side. 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-Akv. have an impressive five-game winning streak. They maintain ninth position with 21-15 record. Loser Kretinga keeps the eleventh place with 19 games lost. Neptunas-Akv. will meet Palanga (#13) on the road in the next round. Kretinga will play against Silute and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Neptunas-Akv.: S.Rytis 15+8reb+2ast, R.Dziugas 12+2reb+1ast, M.Klaidas 12+2reb+6ast, R.Maciulis 11+2reb, M.Macijauskas 9+12reb+2ast, K.Lesciauskas 8+1reb+2ast
Kretinga: J.Warren 12+1reb+3ast, Z.Rytis 11+8reb+2ast, M.Staniulis 9+5ast, K.Julius 8+8reb+2ast, Y.Justin 8+4reb+2ast, R.Tautvydas 4+2reb+1ast

Omega-Tauras - Palanga 65-80

We cannot really consider it an upset in the game between close teams when 13th ranked Omega-Tauras (14-22) lost to fourteenth ranked Palanga (14-21) in Kaunas 65-80 on Thursday. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Palanga made 7 blocks. The winners were led by Australian forward Daniel Titus (203-2000, college: Coppin St.) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 22 points, 10 rebounds and 4 blocks and point guard Paulius Danisevicius (178-1995, agency: BIG) supported him with 11 points and 8 assists. Palanga's coach Erikas Kubilius used a ten-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. Even a double-double of 19 points and 13 rebounds by center Robertas Keliacius (210-1997) did not help to save the game for Omega-Tauras. The former international point guard Sarunas Vasiliauskas (188-1989) added 12 points and 6 assists (made all of his seven free throws) for lost side. Four Omega-Tauras players scored in double figures. Palanga moved-up to thirteenth place. Loser Omega-Tauras dropped to the fourteenth position with 22 games lost. Palanga will meet at home higher ranked Neptunas-Akv. (#9) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Omega-Tauras will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Palanga: D.Titus 22+10reb, B.Troy 14+5reb+1ast, D.Paulius 11+4reb+8ast, N.Pabrieza 9+7reb+1ast, R.Marius 8+5reb+1ast, N.Matas 7+2reb
Omega-Tauras: R.Keliacius 19+13reb+3ast, S.Vasiliauskas 12+2reb+6ast, L.Neidas 10+5reb, V.Sulskis 10+6reb+2ast, N.Augustas 7+4reb+1ast, L.Krivickas 3+2reb+2ast

P.Olimpas - Stekas 98-82

Everything could happen in Plunge at the game between two tied teams. Both sixteenth ranked P.Olimpas and 15th ranked Stekas had identical 8-26 record. This time P.Olimpas used a home court advantage and won against the opponent from Vilnius 98-82 on Thursday night. P.Olimpas made 18-of-23 free shots (78.3 percent) during the game. They also forced 20 Stekas turnovers. The winners were led by center Tadas Budrys (205-2002) who scored that evening 18 points and 8 rebounds and American guard Thomas Miles (190-1998, college: WPU, agency: Dagger Basket) supported him with 17 points. Even 23 points by Dominykas Bucas (203-1999) did not help to save the game for Stekas. Nigerian-American forward John Egbuta (198, college: IUPUI) added 22 points for lost side. Five P.Olimpas and four Stekas players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. P.Olimpas (9-26) moved-up to fifteenth place. Stekas lost eighth consecutive game. They dropped to the sixteenth position with 27 games lost. P.Olimpas will meet bottom-ranked Alytus (#17) on the road in the next round. Stekas will play against Jurbarkas and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
P.Olimpas: B.Tadas 18+8reb, M.Thomas 17+4reb+3ast, M.Najeeb 15+5reb+3ast, G.Colin 13+1reb, J.Modestas 11+1reb+1ast, B.Tautvydas 8+3reb+2ast
Stekas: B.Dominykas 23+3reb+3ast, J.Egbuta 22+4reb+2ast, S.Webster 13+8reb, R.Subotkevic 10+5reb+3ast, U.Kipras 8+3reb+6ast, R.Kyliann 6+2reb+2ast

Silute - Alytus 89-72

Not a big story in a game when 17th ranked Alytus (6-30) lost on the road to twelfth ranked Silute (16-20) 89-72 on Thursday. The winners were led by swingman Lukas Kazlauskas (188-1992) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 12 points, 6 rebounds and 11 assists and American Gerrale Gates (198-2000, college: Holy Cross) supported him with 15 points and 8 rebounds. Silute's coach Rytis Vaisvila used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. Even a double-double of 11 points and 13 rebounds by American forward Nathan Scott (203-1999, college: EMU, agency: BIG) did not help to save the game for Alytus. Swingman Kristupas Smirnov (194-2006) added 15 points for lost side. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Silute maintains twelfth position with 16-20 record. Alytus lost fifth consecutive game. They stay dead last with 30 lost games. Silute will meet higher ranked Kretinga (#11) on the road in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Alytus will play against P.Olimpas (#15) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Silute: H.Devin 16+2reb+2ast, G.Gerrale 15+8reb+2ast, G.Norbertas 12+11reb+2ast, K.Lukas 12+6reb+11ast, S.Adas 11+1reb, L.Demetrius 9+1reb+1ast
Alytus: S.Kristupas 15+4reb+2ast, R.Waters-Johnson 14+4reb+3ast, R.DeGray III 14+6reb+1ast, N.Scott 11+13reb+1ast, J.Norkus 8+5reb, S.Tomas 5+2reb+2ast

Mazeikiai - Kedainiai 86-79

The game in Mazeikiai was also worth to mention about. One of their biggest challengers Kedainiai (21-13) played at the court of fifth ranked Mazeikiai (19-15). Mazeikiai managed to secure a 7-point victory 86-79. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Kedainiai. Mazeikiai dominated down low during the game scoring 48 of its points in the paint compared to Kedainiai's 26. Mazeikiai forced 21 Kedainiai turnovers. Worth to mention a great performance of American point guard Nickolas Neal (184-1988, college: Purdue-NCent.) who helped to win the game recording 26 points, 7 rebounds, 9 assists and 5 steals (made all of his seven free throws) and the other American import guard Coltie Young (190-2003, college: ULM) who added 18 points during the contest. At the losing side forward Rokas Uzas (202-1988) responded with 17 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists (made all of his nine free throws !!!) and point guard Paulius Semaska (184-1993) scored 19 points and 4 assists. Four Kedainiai players scored in double figures. Mazeikiai maintains fifth position with 19-15 record, which they share with Rytas 2. Kedainiai at the other side keeps the fourth place with 13 games lost. Mazeikiai will play against Vilkaviskis (#7) on the road in the next round. Kedainiai will play against Telsiai and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Mazeikiai: N.Nickolas 26+7reb+9ast, Y.Coltie 18+4reb, E.DeAngelo 9+3reb+2ast, E.Narusevicius 8+5reb+1ast, M.Mindaugas 7+3reb, R.Tomas 5+2reb+2ast
Kedainiai: S.Paulius 19+2reb+4ast, R.Uzas 17+9reb+6ast, D.Gvezdauskas 11, B.Laurynas 11+3reb, A.Kelmelis 10+6reb+1ast, I.Lukosius 4+7reb+3ast

Suduva-Mantinga - Vytis 98-91

An interesting game for Suduva-Mantinga (30-5) which hosted in Marijampole their biggest opponent Vytis (24-10). First ranked Suduva-Mantinga managed to get a 7-point victory 98-91. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Vytis. Suduva-Mantinga made 19-of-22 free shots (86.4 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of Marijus Uzupis (197-1993) who helped to win the game recording 25 points (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field). Aurelijus Pukelis (205-1994) contributed with 19 points for the winners. point guard Titas Janusevicius (188-2001) replied with 26 points and 4 assists and Gabrielius Celka (198-2001) added 21 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists in the effort for Vytis. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Suduva-Mantinga maintains first position with 30-5 record. Vytis at the other side keeps the second place with ten games lost. Suduva-Mantinga will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Vytis will play at home against Rytas 2 and is hoping to prove to their fans that the loss was just an accident.
Top scorers:
Suduva-Mantinga: M.Uzupis 25+3reb+2ast, J.Matas 20+4reb, A.Pukelis 19+3reb+3ast, Z.Martynas 12+2reb+3ast, S.Ernestas 7+3reb+1ast, J.Ernestas 7+3reb
Vytis: T.Janusevicius 26+4reb+4ast, C.Gabrielius 21+6reb+5ast, R.Jokubas 14+3ast, L.Kajus 11+1ast, A.Mikstas 9+5reb+1ast, J.Rokas 8+1reb+1ast

Telsiai - Zalgiris II 83-93

The game in Telsiai was also quite interesting. Third ranked Zalgiris II (24-11) played at the court of 7th ranked Telsiai (18-16). Zalgiris II defeated Telsiai 93-83 on Tuesday. Zalgiris II made 26-of-32 free shots (81.3 percent) during the game. The winners were led by guard Jokubas Rudaitis (198-2006) who scored that evening 22 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists and guard Majus Bulanovas (193-2007) supported him with 25 points. Even 24 points and 5 assists by the former international guard Martynas Gecevicius (193-1988) did not help to save the game for Telsiai. Ovidijus Kaminskis (195-1991) added 17 points for lost side. Five Telsiai players scored in double figures. Zalgiris II have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain third position with 24-11 record having just two point less than leader Suduva-Mantinga. Loser Telsiai keeps the seventh place with 16 games lost. They share the position with Vilkaviskis. Zalgiris II will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Telsiai will play against Kedainiai (#4) in Kedainiu and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Zalgiris II: M.Bulanovas 25+3reb, J.Rudaitis 22+8reb+4ast, N.Raupelis 16+9reb, U.Dominykas 11+2reb, D.Daubaris 8+5reb+3ast, K.Mikalauskas 8+5reb+6ast
Telsiai: M.Gecevicius 24+4reb+5ast, K.Ovidijus 17+4reb+3ast, R.Ignas 12+3reb+4ast, A.Rimkus 11+1reb+3ast, V.Pocius 10+2reb+1ast, M.Vytautas 3+2reb

Rytas 2 - Vilkaviskis 87-74

Everything could happen in Vilnius at the game between two tied teams. Both eighth ranked Rytas 2 and 6th ranked Vilkaviskis had identical 18-15 record. This time Rytas 2 used a home court advantage and defeated the opponent from Vilkaviskis 87-74 on Thursday night. The winners were led by guard Nikas Stuknys (199-2005) who scored that evening 17 points and 9 assists (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) and Bulgarian Kaloyan Balkandzhiev (-2007) supported him with 18 points. Rytas 2's coach Gintaras Kadziulis used a ten-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. Even 15 points and 9 rebounds by Zygimantas Skucas (202-1992, agency: BIG) did not help to save the game for Vilkaviskis. American center Gabe Quillan (206-2002, college: Hope) added 10 points and 7 rebounds for lost side. Four Vilkaviskis players scored in double figures. Rytas 2 (19-15) moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Mazeikiai. Loser Vilkaviskis dropped to the seventh position with 16 games lost. They share it with Telsiai. Rytas 2 will meet league's second-placed Vytis in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Vilkaviskis will play against Mazeikiai (#5) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Rytas 2: K.Balkandzhiev 18+2reb, N.Stuknys 17+3reb+9ast, P.Adomas 13+2reb, V.Adomaitis 9+3reb+2ast, A.Vilkas 8+7reb+1ast, M.Liutkevicius 7+2reb+2ast
Vilkaviskis: Z.Skucas 15+9reb+1ast, J.Saterfield 14+1reb+2ast, G.Quillan 10+7reb+2ast, T.Gadsden 10+6reb, G.Stankevicius 7+6reb+5ast, B.Armandas 6+8reb+1ast