NKL Round 5 (Second Stage): Telsiai defeat Kedainiai in the closest game of the week

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 5 in the NKL took place in Kedainiu. This derby game ended with only two-point home defeat of 4th placed Kedainiai (21-14) to eighth ranked Telsiai (19-16) 77-75 on Saturday evening. 27 personal fouls committed by Kedainiai helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Guard Arunas Rimkus (194-2004, agency: BIG) stepped up and scored 18 points and 7 rebounds for the winners and Ovidijus Kaminskis (195-1991) chipped in 13 points and 11 rebounds. point guard Laurynas Danielius (182-1998) responded with 29 points and 5 assists. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Telsiai moved-up to fifth place, which they share with 3 other teams. Kedainiai at the other side keeps the fourth position with 14 games lost. Telsiai is looking forward to face Mazeikiai (#5) on the road in the next round. Kedainiai will play against the league's second-placed Vytis and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
The game in Vilkaviskis supposed to be also worth to mention about. 5th ranked Mazeikiai (19-16) played at the court of seventh ranked Vilkaviskis (19-16). Vilkaviskis smashed Mazeikiai 91-67. Armandas Bancevicius (203-2006) nailed 21 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 6 steals for the winning side and TJ Gadsden accounted for 15 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. The former international center Tomas Rimsa (208-1996) came up with 18 points and 9 rebounds for Mazeikiai in the defeat. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Vilkaviskis moved-up to fifth place, which they share with 3 other teams including defeated Mazeikiai. Vilkaviskis will play against league's leader Suduva-Mantinga in Marijampole in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Mazeikiai will play at home against Telsiai (#7) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Thirteenth-ranked Palanga (14-22) gave a tough game to ninth ranked Neptunas-Akv. (22-15) on Saturday. The visitors from Klaipeda managed to secure only two-point victory 75-73. However their fans expected much easier game. The best player for the winners was Dziugas Remeikis who scored 20 points. Neptunas-Akv.'s coach Tomas Gaidamavicius used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. Daniel Titus produced a double-double by scoring 15 points and 12 rebounds for the hosts. Neptunas-Akv. have an impressive series of six victories in a row. They maintain ninth place with 22-15 record. Loser Palanga keeps the thirteenth position with 22 games lost. They share it with Omega-Tauras. Neptunas-Akv. will meet Jurbarkas (#10) on the road in the next round. Palanga will play against Alytus and hope to secure a win.

There were no shocking results in the rest of the games of round 5: Jurbarkas won against Stekas on the opponent's court 87-79. Kretinga managed to outperform Silute in a home game 93-76. P.Olimpas rolled over Alytus on the road 96-72. Vytis defeated Rytas 2 on its own court 94-87.



Vilkaviskis - Mazeikiai 91-67

The game in Vilkaviskis supposed to be also worth to mention about. 5th ranked Mazeikiai (19-16) played at the court of seventh ranked Vilkaviskis (19-16). Vilkaviskis smashed Mazeikiai 91-67. Vilkaviskis dominated down low during the game scoring 58 of its points in the paint compared to Mazeikiai's 26. Vilkaviskis forced 22 Mazeikiai turnovers. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 21 assists. Mazeikiai was plagued by 24 personal fouls down the stretch. Armandas Bancevicius (203-2006) nailed 21 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 6 steals for the winning side and American guard TJ Gadsden (199-2002, college: Hofstra) accounted for 15 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. Five Vilkaviskis players scored in double figures. The former international center Tomas Rimsa (208-1996) came up with 18 points and 9 rebounds and American point guard Nickolas Neal (184-1988, college: Purdue-NCent.) added 12 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists respectively for Mazeikiai in the defeat. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Vilkaviskis moved-up to fifth place, which they share with 3 other teams including defeated Mazeikiai. Vilkaviskis will play against league's leader Suduva-Mantinga in Marijampole in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Mazeikiai will play at home against Telsiai (#7) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Mazeikiai: T.Rimsa 18+9reb+1ast, N.Neal 12+6reb+5ast, G.Mokseckas 9+7reb+1ast, C.Young 8+3reb+3ast, M.Motuzas 6+1reb, D.Epps 4+1reb
Vilkaviskis: A.Bancevicius 21+5reb+4ast, G.TJ 15+7reb+5ast, S.Giedrius 12+6reb+1ast, S.Zygimantas 10+4reb+2ast, Q.Gabe 10+4reb+2ast, A.Hopenas 8+4reb+2ast

Stekas - Jurbarkas 79-87

Very expected game in Vilnius where 16th ranked Stekas (8-28) was defeated by tenth ranked Jurbarkas (20-16) 87-79 on Tuesday. Jurbarkas looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. The best player for the winners was point guard Karolis Babusis (190-2000) who scored 18 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. Swingman Gintautas Matulis (196-1986) chipped in 13 points, 6 assists and 4 steals. Four Jurbarkas players scored in double figures. American-Haitian center Simeus Webster (203-1999, college: York, NE) produced 19 points and 8 rebounds and Nigerian-American forward John Egbuta (198, college: IUPUI) added 12 points and 7 rebounds respectively for the hosts. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Jurbarkas have a solid series of four victories in a row. They maintain tenth place with 20-16 record. Stekas lost ninth consecutive game. They keep the sixteenth position with 28 games lost. Jurbarkas will meet at home higher ranked Neptunas-Akv. (#9) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Stekas will play against Omega-Tauras (#14) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Stekas: S.Webster 19+8reb+1ast, J.Egbuta 12+7reb+2ast, J.Kostas 9+3reb+2ast, R.Subotkevic 9+5reb+4ast, A.Buskevicius 8+3reb+1ast, R.Kyliann 7+3reb+6ast
Jurbarkas: B.Karolis 18+7reb+5ast, G.Matulis 13+1reb+6ast, V.Sarunas 12+6reb+1ast, T.Justas 10+6reb+2ast, N.Justas 8+3reb+1ast, A.Adomavicius 7+4ast

Kedainiai - Telsiai 75-77

The most exciting game of round 5 in the NKL took place in Kedainiu. This derby game ended with only two-point home defeat of 4th placed Kedainiai (21-14) to eighth ranked Telsiai (19-16) 77-75 on Saturday evening. 27 personal fouls committed by Kedainiai helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Guard Arunas Rimkus (194-2004, agency: BIG) stepped up and scored 18 points and 7 rebounds for the winners and Ovidijus Kaminskis (195-1991) chipped in 13 points and 11 rebounds. Four Telsiai players scored in double figures. point guard Laurynas Danielius (182-1998) responded with 29 points and 5 assists and point guard Paulius Semaska (184-1993) scored 17 points and 4 assists. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Telsiai moved-up to fifth place, which they share with 3 other teams. Kedainiai at the other side keeps the fourth position with 14 games lost. Telsiai is looking forward to face Mazeikiai (#5) on the road in the next round. Kedainiai will play against the league's second-placed Vytis and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Kedainiai: D.Laurynas 29+4reb+5ast, S.Paulius 17+3reb+4ast, D.Gvezdauskas 9+1reb, I.Lukosius 6+16reb+1ast, M.Kuprijanovas 5+4reb+2ast, Z.Augustas 5+6reb
Telsiai: R.Arunas 18+7reb+2ast, I.Razutis 13+5reb+5ast, O.Kaminskis 13+11reb+3ast, B.Tomas 12+10reb+3ast, G.Martynas 8+2reb+2ast, P.Vilius 6+3reb

Kretinga - Silute 93-76

The game between closely ranked teams ended with eleventh ranked Kretinga's (18-19) home victory over 12th ranked Silute (16-21) 93-76 on Saturday. Kretinga dominated down low during the game scoring 64 of its points in the paint compared to Silute's 40. Kretinga looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The best player for the winners was forward Julius Kazakauskas (196-1990) who had a double-double by scoring 18 points, 15 rebounds and 6 assists. point guard Mantvydas Staniulis (186-1997) chipped in 14 points and 6 assists. Four Kretinga players scored in double figures. Kretinga's coach Arimantas Mikalocius used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Power forward Norbertas Giga (208-1995, college: Jax State) produced a double-double by scoring 31 points and 11 rebounds and center Julius Jucikas (204-1989, agency: BIG) added 15 points and 6 rebounds respectively for the guests. Kretinga maintains eleventh place with 18-19 record. Loser Silute keeps the twelfth position with 21 games lost. Kretinga will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Silute will play against P.Olimpas (#15) in Plunge and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Silute: N.Giga 31+11reb+3ast, J.Jucikas 15+6reb, L.Kazlauskas 9+7reb+4ast, N.Jankunas 8+2reb+6ast, G.Gates 7+6reb+3ast, D.Hutchinson 6+2reb+1ast
Kretinga: J.Kazakauskas 18+15reb+6ast, W.Jalen 16+2reb+1ast, S.Mantvydas 14+4reb+6ast, J.Young 14+2reb+2ast, Z.Justas 9+1reb, E.Danys 8+2reb+2ast

Alytus - P.Olimpas 72-96

Not a big story in a game when 17th ranked Alytus (6-31) was rolled over at home by fifteenth ranked P.Olimpas (10-26) 96-72 on Saturday. The best player for the winners was American Colin Golson Jr (196-2000, college: WSU) who scored 17 points. Swingman Rokas Kreismontas (198-2006) chipped in 17 points. Golson Jr. is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Five P.Olimpas players scored in double figures. P.Olimpas' coach Mindaugas Tamusauskas felt very confident that he used 11 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Swingman Kristupas Smirnov (194-2006) produced 20 points and American forward Ronnie DeGray III (198, college: Wichita St.) added 15 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists respectively for the hosts. P.Olimpas maintains fifteenth place with 10-26 record. Alytus lost sixth consecutive game. They stay dead last with 31 lost games. P.Olimpas will meet at home higher ranked Silute (#12) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Alytus will play against Palanga (#13) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Alytus: S.Kristupas 20+4reb+3ast, R.DeGray III 15+7reb+4ast, N.Scott 12+10reb+2ast, R.Waters-Johnson 9+1ast, Z.Bartasius 7+4reb+2ast, S.Tomas 6+1reb
P.Olimpas: G.Colin 17+4reb+1ast, R.Kreismontas 17+3reb+1ast, B.Tadas 14+4reb+3ast, M.Thomas 13+2reb+3ast, M.Najeeb 10+2reb+4ast, A.Vaistaras 7+2reb+1ast

Vytis - Rytas 2 94-87

Everything went according to plan in Sakiai where second ranked Vytis (25-10) beat 6th ranked Rytas 2 (19-16) 94-87 on Saturday. Vytis looked well-organized offensively handing out 29 assists. The best player for the winners was guard Jokubas Rubinas (187-2002) who scored 24 points and 6 rebounds. Gabrielius Celka (198-2001) chipped in a triple-double by scoring 10 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists. Guard Nikas Stuknys (199-2005) produced a double-double by scoring 13 points, 6 rebounds and 15 assists (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field) and forward Gabrielius Jokubauskas (195-2006) added 16 points and 5 rebounds respectively for the guests. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Vytis maintains second place with 25-10 record having just one point less than leader Suduva-Mantinga. Loser Rytas 2 dropped to the fifth position with 16 games lost. They share it with 3 other teams. Vytis will meet Kedainiai (#4) in the next round. Rytas 2 will play against Zalgiris II in Kaunas and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Rytas 2: J.Gabrielius 16+5reb+1ast, K.Gantas 16+3reb+2ast, S.Erikas 15+2ast, S.Nikas 13+6reb+15ast, L.Mantas 10+1reb, V.Arminas 6+6reb+1ast
Vytis: J.Rubinas 24+6reb+3ast, J.Titas 21+3reb+6ast, K.Leliukas 16+4reb+1ast, G.Celka 10+10reb+11ast, M.Augustinas 9+3reb+2ast, P.Velutis 8+1ast

Palanga - Neptunas-Akv. 73-75

Thirteenth-ranked Palanga (14-22) gave a tough game to ninth ranked Neptunas-Akv. (22-15) on Saturday. The visitors from Klaipeda managed to secure only two-point victory 75-73. However their fans expected much easier game. The best player for the winners was guard Dziugas Remeikis (190-2006) who scored 20 points. Guard Kristupas Lesciauskas (191-2005) chipped in 6 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists. Neptunas-Akv.'s coach Tomas Gaidamavicius used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. Australian forward Daniel Titus (203-2000, college: Coppin St.) produced a double-double by scoring 15 points and 12 rebounds and point guard Paulius Danisevicius (178-1995, agency: BIG) added 14 points and 4 assists respectively for the hosts. Four Palanga players scored in double figures. Neptunas-Akv. have an impressive series of six victories in a row. They maintain ninth place with 22-15 record. Loser Palanga keeps the thirteenth position with 22 games lost. They share it with Omega-Tauras. Neptunas-Akv. will meet Jurbarkas (#10) on the road in the next round. Palanga will play against Alytus and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Palanga: T.Daniel 15+12reb+2ast, S.Mindaugas 14+1reb+1ast, P.Danisevicius 14+4reb+4ast, T.Barnies 10+4reb+2ast, M.Narvilas 6+4reb, P.Nojus 5+6reb
Neptunas-Akv.: R.Dziugas 20+2reb+1ast, R.Maciulis 16+2reb+1ast, M.Klaidas 10+4reb+3ast, S.Sarakauskas 9+6reb, M.Macijauskas 8+2reb, K.Lesciauskas 6+7reb+7ast