Latvia – LBL Round 1: Barons Riga loses to Jurmala

MarcisSaulitis The Regular Season in LBL just started. Host teams show no mercy winning all games. The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Barons Riga (0-1) on the court of Jurmala on Thursday night. Visitors were defeated by Jurmala 77-68. Barons Riga was tied after three quarters but could not keep up in the last quarter eventually losing the game. Jurmala dominated down low during the game scoring 48 of its points in the paint compared to Barons Riga’s 24. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. Center Marcis Saulitis (207-97) stepped up and scored 15 points and 8 rebounds for the winners and guard Edmunds Elksnis (187-90) chipped in 14 points and 4 assists. At the losing side Lithuania Tauras Jogela (202-93, agency: Players Group) responded with 15 points and 4 steals. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Jurmala is looking forward to face Liepaja/Triobet (#8) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Barons Riga’s supporters also look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Riga to the arena Latvijas Universitate. Host VEF Riga (1-0) defeated Liepaja/Triobet (0-1) 84-70. Janis Blums (191-82) nailed 20 points and 4 assists for the winning side and Martins Meiers accounted for 14 points and 8 rebounds. American point guard Lateef McMullan (180-90, college: Portland St.) came up with 14 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists for Liepaja/Triobet in the defeat. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. VEF Riga will play against Jekabpils (#7) on the road in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Liepaja/Triobet will play against Jurmala to get more than just one victory in their record. Host Ventspils (1-0) smashed Jekabpils (0-1) 91-70. Cheikh Mbodj fired 14 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. Rinalds Sirsnins produced 8 points and 6 assists 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. Ventspils will meet BK Ogre on the road in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Jekabpils will play against VEF Riga (#4) and it may be a tough game between close rivals. The game between Top Four teams took place in Ogre. host BK Ogre (1-0) defeated Valmiera (0-1) 70-61. Worth to mention a great performance of Gints Antrops who helped to win the game recording 13 points and 4 steals. BK Ogre’s coach Arturs Visockis-Rubenis allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. BK Ogre’s next round opponent will be Ventspils (#5) at home. Valmiera will play against Valka/Valga (#3) and hope to win that game. The game in Valga was also quite interesting. Latvijas Universitate (0-1) played at the court of Valka/Valga (1-0). Valka/Valga managed to secure a 7-point victory 89-82 on Thursday. Kristo Saage stepped up and scored 20 points and 4 assists (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field) for the winners. Latvijas Universitate’s coach rotated twelve players in this game, but that didn’t help. Valka/Valga will face Valmiera (#10) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Latvijas Universitate’s supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Riga Barons Riga. Jurmala – Barons Riga 77-68The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Barons Riga (0-1) on the court of Jurmala on Thursday night. Visitors were defeated by Jurmala 77-68. Barons Riga was tied after three quarters but could not keep up in the last quarter eventually losing the game. Jurmala dominated down low during the game scoring 48 of its points in the paint compared to Barons Riga’s 24. They looked well-organized …

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