NKL Round 9 (Second Stage): Vytis are upset by Mazeikiai

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game between third ranked Vytis (27-12) and eighth ranked Mazeikiai (20-19) was the most important one in the last round on Saturday night. Vytis was defeated by Mazeikiai in Mazeikiai 113-99. Mazeikiai looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. The best player for the winners was American point guard Nickolas Neal (184-1988, college: Purdue-NCent.) who scored 31 points and 8 assists (went 7 for 7 at the free throw line). His fellow American import guard Coltie Young (190-2003, college: ULM) chipped in 29 points and 5 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was center Augustinas Mikstas (203-2001) who recorded a double-double by scoring 30 points and 13 rebounds (on 11-of-14 shooting from the field). Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Mazeikiai moved-up to seventh place, which they share with Telsiai. Vytis at the other side dropped to the second position with 12 games lost. They share it with Zalgiris II.
Very important is a road loss of second ranked Zalgiris II (27-12) against fourth ranked Vilkaviskis (22-17) on Saturday night. Visiting Zalgiris II was defeated by Vilkaviskis in Vilkaviskis 92-81. It ended at the same time the six-game winning streak of Zalgiris II. It was a good game for American guard TJ Gadsden (199-2002, college: Hofstra) who led his team to a victory with 22 points and 7 rebounds. Zygimantas Skucas contributed with 20 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. point guard Dominykas Grunkis (164-2007) answered with 18 points and 5 assists for Zalgiris II. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Vilkaviskis maintains fourth place with 22-17 record, which they share with Kedainiai. Zalgiris II at the other side keeps the second position with 12 games lost. They share it with Vytis.
Leader Suduva-Mantinga delivered the 33th victory on Saturday night. This time they beat 7th ranked Telsiai (20-19) 84-68. Ernestas Sederevicius stepped up and scored 25 points and 8 rebounds (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field) for the winners. The best for the losing side was Ignas Razutis with 20 points and 5 rebounds. Suduva-Mantinga have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain first place with 33-6 record. Telsiai lost third consecutive game. They keep the seventh position with 19 games lost. They share it with Mazeikiai.

Other games of round 9 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Palanga was defeated by Jurbarkas in a road game 90-85. P.Olimpas beat Omega-Tauras at home 98-89. Neptunas-Akv. won against Silute on the opponent's court 85-84. Stekas unfortunately lost to Kretinga in a home game 103-107. Rytas 2 recorded a loss to Kedainiai on the road 78-87.



Jurbarkas - Palanga 90-85

There was no surprise when 14th ranked Palanga (14-26) was defeated on the road by ninth ranked Jurbarkas (24-16) 90-85 on Saturday. However just five-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. Jurbarkas looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. Point guard Karolis Babusis (190-2000) stepped up and scored 22 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners and swingman Gintautas Matulis (196-1986) chipped in 21 points (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field). The best for the losing side was point guard Nojus Pabrieza (180-2004) with 13 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists and Marius Runkauskas (186-1986, agency: BIG) scored 16 points and 4 assists. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Jurbarkas have an impressive series of eight victories in a row. They maintain ninth place with 24-16 record. Palanga lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the fourteenth position with 26 games lost. They share it with P.Olimpas.
Top scorers:
Palanga: T.Barnies 17+2reb+1ast, M.Runkauskas 16+2reb+4ast, P.Danisevicius 14+2reb+5ast, P.Nojus 13+6reb+4ast, M.Narvilas 10+1reb, Z.Jonas 8+5reb+1ast
Jurbarkas: B.Karolis 22+5reb+4ast, G.Matulis 21+3reb+1ast, G.Karolis 17+6reb+1ast, K.Kokoska 13+2reb+1ast, A.Adomavicius 7+6reb+8ast, V.Sarunas 6+1reb+4ast

P.Olimpas - Omega-Tauras 98-89

There was a small surprise in Plunge where fifteenth ranked P.Olimpas (14-26) defeated 13th ranked Omega-Tauras (15-25) 98-89 on Saturday. P.Olimpas looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. Tautvydas Baltrusaitis (204-2003) stepped up and scored 14 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners and swingman Rokas Kreismontas (198-2006) chipped in 17 points and 4 assists (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). Five P.Olimpas players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was forward Tauris Aliukonis (204-2008) with 15 points and 7 rebounds (perfect from the field making all seven shots !!!) and point guard Nedas Vydmantas (186-2006) scored 13 points. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. P.Olimpas have an impressive series of six victories in a row. They moved-up to fourteenth place, which they share with Palanga. Omega-Tauras lost third consecutive game. They keep the thirteenth position with 25 games lost.
Top scorers:
Omega-Tauras: A.Tauris 15+7reb+2ast, V.Nedas 13+2reb+2ast, L.Neidas 11+6reb, S.Simas 10+2reb, R.Keliacius 10+4reb+1ast, V.Sulskis 9+1reb+5ast
P.Olimpas: R.Kreismontas 17+3reb+4ast, M.Maziliauskas 14+3reb+1ast, B.Tautvydas 14+8reb+4ast, M.Thomas 13+1reb+3ast, B.Tadas 12+7reb+3ast, A.Adomauskas 8+3reb+1ast

Silute - Neptunas-Akv. 84-85

Rather expected game when 12th ranked Silute (17-23) was edged at home by tenth ranked Neptunas-Akv. (23-17) 85-84 on Saturday. Guard Kristupas Lesciauskas (191-2005) stepped up and scored 15 points for the winners and Rokas Maciulis (194-2000) chipped in 10 points and 8 rebounds. The best for the losing side was American Gerrale Gates (198-2000, college: Holy Cross) with 20 points and 5 rebounds and power forward Norbertas Giga (208-1995, college: Jax State) produced a double-double by scoring 11 points and 11 rebounds. Four Silute players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Neptunas-Akv. maintains tenth place with 23-17 record. Loser Silute keeps the twelfth position with 23 games lost.
Top scorers:
Silute: G.Gates 20+5reb+2ast, D.Lake 19+2reb+1ast, D.Hutchinson 12+4reb, N.Giga 11+11reb+3ast, N.Jankunas 8+9reb+2ast, K.Tadas 4+3reb+1ast
Neptunas-Akv.: R.Dziugas 17+2ast, K.Lesciauskas 15+3reb+1ast, R.Maciulis 10+8reb+1ast, Z.Eimantas 9+5reb+1ast, S.Rytis 9+3reb+1ast, M.Klaidas 8+4reb+1ast

Stekas - Kretinga 103-107

Very predictable result in Vilnius where eleventh ranked Kretinga (20-20) beat 16th ranked Stekas (9-31) 107-103 on Saturday. Kretinga looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. Canadian guard Jalen Warren (188-1999, college: UIC) stepped up and scored 28 points and 5 rebounds for the winners and forward Julius Kazakauskas (196-1990) chipped in 21 points and 9 rebounds. Kretinga's coach Arimantas Mikalocius used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. The best for the losing side was Robert Subotkevic (203-1998) with a double-double by scoring 28 points and 11 rebounds and Dominykas Bucas (203-1999) scored 20 points and 8 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Kretinga maintains eleventh place with 20-20 record. Loser Stekas keeps the sixteenth position with 31 games lost.
Top scorers:
Stekas: R.Subotkevic 28+11reb+2ast, B.Dominykas 20+8reb+3ast, J.Kostas 19+6reb+4ast, U.Kipras 17+2reb+6ast, S.Webster 8+6reb+1ast, K.Brusokas 6+2reb+1ast
Kretinga: W.Jalen 28+5reb+3ast, J.Young 22+4reb+2ast, J.Kazakauskas 21+9reb+3ast, E.Danys 11+7reb+4ast, S.Mantvydas 8+3reb+7ast, T.Rudys 7+3reb+2ast

Kedainiai - Rytas 2 87-78

Everything could happen in Kedainiu at the game between two tied teams. Both sixth ranked Kedainiai and 5th ranked Rytas 2 had identical 21-17 record. This time Kedainiai used a home court advantage and defeated the opponent from Vilnius 87-78 on Saturday night. Forward Rokas Uzas (202-1988) stepped up and scored 35 points (!!!), 8 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners and Medas Kuprijanovas (197-1996) chipped in 11 points and 10 rebounds. The best for the losing side was forward Gabrielius Jokubauskas (195-2006) with 27 points and 9 rebounds and guard Nikas Stuknys (199-2005) produced a double-double by scoring 22 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Kedainiai (22-17) moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Vilkaviskis. Loser Rytas 2 dropped to the sixth position with 18 games lost.
Top scorers:
Rytas 2: J.Gabrielius 27+9reb+3ast, S.Nikas 22+10reb+5ast, V.Arminas 7+6reb+2ast, A.Vincentas 6+1reb+1ast, S.Erikas 6+1reb+2ast, L.Mantas 5+2reb+3ast
Kedainiai: U.Rokas 35+8reb+4ast, L.Danielius 14+2reb+3ast, K.Medas 11+10reb, L.Ignas 8+7reb+1ast, P.Semaska 7+3reb+7ast, G.Darius 5+3reb+2ast

Mazeikiai - Vytis 113-99

The game between third ranked Vytis (27-12) and eighth ranked Mazeikiai (20-19) was the most important one in the last round on Saturday night. Vytis was defeated by Mazeikiai in Mazeikiai 113-99. Mazeikiai looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. The best player for the winners was American point guard Nickolas Neal (184-1988, college: Purdue-NCent.) who scored 31 points and 8 assists (went 7 for 7 at the free throw line). His fellow American import guard Coltie Young (190-2003, college: ULM) chipped in 29 points and 5 rebounds. Four Mazeikiai players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was center Augustinas Mikstas (203-2001) who recorded a double-double by scoring 30 points and 13 rebounds (on 11-of-14 shooting from the field) and point guard Titas Janusevicius (188-2001) added 22 points respectively. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Mazeikiai moved-up to seventh place, which they share with Telsiai. Vytis at the other side dropped to the second position with 12 games lost. They share it with Zalgiris II.
Top scorers:
Vytis: A.Mikstas 30+13reb+1ast, T.Janusevicius 22+1reb+2ast, L.Kajus 12+2reb+1ast, V.Paulius 8+1reb, R.Jokubas 7+1reb+6ast, C.Gabrielius 7+4reb+6ast
Mazeikiai: N.Nickolas 31+2reb+8ast, Y.Coltie 29+5reb+2ast, M.Mindaugas 15+5reb+2ast, E.DeAngelo 12+9reb+5ast, M.Gediminas 10+3reb, K.Pavlo 9+3reb+2ast

Telsiai - Suduva-Mantinga 68-84

Leader Suduva-Mantinga delivered the 33th victory on Saturday night. This time they beat 7th ranked Telsiai (20-19) 84-68. Suduva-Mantinga outrebounded Telsiai 41-26 including 29 on the defensive glass. Ernestas Sederevicius (195-1998) stepped up and scored 25 points and 8 rebounds (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field) for the winners and center Matas Jucikas (205-1994, agency: BIG) chipped in 16 points and 9 rebounds. Four Suduva-Mantinga players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was point guard Ignas Razutis (185-1987) with 20 points and 5 rebounds and Ovidijus Kaminskis (195-1991) scored 16 points and 7 rebounds. Suduva-Mantinga have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain first place with 33-6 record. Telsiai lost third consecutive game. They keep the seventh position with 19 games lost. They share it with Mazeikiai.
Top scorers:
Telsiai: R.Ignas 20+5reb+1ast, K.Ovidijus 16+7reb, V.Pocius 9+7reb+2ast, K.Laurynas 8+4reb, R.Deividas 6+1reb+2ast, A.Rimkus 5+1reb+7ast
Suduva-Mantinga: S.Ernestas 25+8reb+1ast, V.Domantas 17+1reb+2ast, J.Matas 16+9reb, L.Ignas 13+8reb+3ast, S.Zygimantas 5+4reb+2ast, K.Tautvydas 4+5reb+2ast

Vilkaviskis - Zalgiris II 92-81

Very important is a road loss of second ranked Zalgiris II (27-12) against fourth ranked Vilkaviskis (22-17) on Saturday night. Visiting Zalgiris II was defeated by Vilkaviskis in Vilkaviskis 92-81. It ended at the same time the six-game winning streak of Zalgiris II. Vilkaviskis dominated down low during the game scoring 66 of its points in the paint compared to Zalgiris II's 44. They outrebounded Zalgiris II 37-26 including 22 on the defensive glass. Zalgiris II was plagued by 27 personal fouls down the stretch. It was a good game for American guard TJ Gadsden (199-2002, college: Hofstra) who led his team to a victory with 22 points and 7 rebounds. Zygimantas Skucas (202-1992, agency: BIG) contributed with 20 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. point guard Dominykas Grunkis (164-2007) answered with 18 points and 5 assists and Nedas Raupelis (205-2006) added 12 points and 9 rebounds in the effort for Zalgiris II. Four Zalgiris II players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Vilkaviskis maintains fourth place with 22-17 record, which they share with Kedainiai. Zalgiris II at the other side keeps the second position with 12 games lost. They share it with Vytis.
Top scorers:
Zalgiris II: B.Maksim 18+2reb+2ast, D.Grunkis 18+2reb+5ast, B.Majus 13+5reb, R.Nedas 12+9reb+3ast, R.Jokubas 6+3reb+2ast, S.Ignas 5+4reb
Vilkaviskis: G.TJ 22+7reb+2ast, S.Zygimantas 20+5reb+2ast, S.Giedrius 15+8reb+1ast, M.Zukauskas 8+3reb+4ast, A.Hopenas 7+2reb+4ast, A.Bancevicius 7+8reb+1ast