Lithuania – NKL Round 6: Rasai is upset by Zalgiris II

GytisMasiulis The most important game in the last round took place in Kaunas between second ranked Rasai (4-2) and fourteenth ranked Zalgiris II (2-4) on Saturday night. Rasai was defeated by Zalgiris II in a tough game on the road 82-91. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Rasai. The hosts took control from the first minutes by winning first half. But Rasai won third quarter 21-19. However it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. They outrebounded Rasai 43-22 including a 29-16 advantage in defensive rebounds. It was a great shooting night for Zalgiris II especially from behind the arc, where they had solid 52.4 percentage. The best player for the winners was Gytis Masiulis (206-98) who had a double-double by scoring 42 points (!!!) and 15 rebounds. Guard Kristupas Zemaitis (192-96) chipped in 8 points, 6 rebounds and 10 assists. Zalgiris II’s coach Tomas Masiulis used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. At the other side the best for losing team was point guard Tomas Galeckas (183-94) who recorded 16 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists. Zalgiris II moved-up to ninth place, which they share with 3 other teams. Rasai at the other side dropped to the third position with two games lost. They share it with 3 other teams. Zalgiris II is looking forward to face higher ranked Mazeikiai (#7) on the road in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Rasai will play against Perlas-MRU (#3) in Vilnius and it may be a tough game between close rivals. The game in Telsiu supposed to be also worth to mention about. 5th ranked Delikatesas (3-3) played at the court of seventh ranked Telsiai (4-2). Telsiai did not have too big problems and got a relatively easy victory 80-60. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Delikatesas. It was a good game for Gintautas Kybartas (201-94) who led his team to a victory with 17 points. Laurynas Kaveckis contributed with 17 points for the winners. Forward Darius Griskenas (194-84) replied with 12 points and 7 rebounds for Delikatesas. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Telsiai moved-up to third place, which they share with 3 other teams. Delikatesas at the other side dropped to the seventh position with three games lost. They share it with Mazeikiai. Telsiai will play against Petrochema (#10) in Jonava in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Delikatesas will play at home against Palanga and it may be a tough game between close rivals. A very close game took place in Kaunas between Nafta-Uni. and KTU. Third ranked Nafta-Uni. (5-1) got a very close victory on the road over 9th ranked KTU (2-4). Nafta-Uni. managed to escape with a 3-point win 82-79 on Saturday evening. Guest team only slightly avoided a big embarassment. Benas Bagdonavicius scored 20 points and 7 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners. The best for the losing side was Matas Sapiega with 19 points and 4 assists. KTU’s coach Vytautas Pliauga tried various players’ combinations and tested in total twelve players in this game, but that didn’t help. Nafta-Uni. keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Suduva-Mantinga. KTU lost third consecutive game. Newly promoted team keeps the ninth place with four games lost. They share the position with 3 other teams. Nafta-Uni. will meet at home Ezerunas-Karys (#13) in the next round which should be an easy win for them. KTU will play against Silute (#5) and hope to secure a win. The game with biggest result difference took place in Jonava. Local Petrochema (2-4) was outscored by second ranked Suduva-Mantinga (5-1) 74-53. Marius Valukonis notched a double-double by scoring 14 points and 12 rebounds to lead the effort. Petrochema’s coach Kestutis Narusevicius gave up on the game allowing to play twelve players seeing no chance for a win. Suduva-Mantinga have an impressive five-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Nafta-Uni. Petrochema at the other side keeps the ninth place with four games lost. Suduva-Mantinga’s next round opponent will be bottom-ranked Vytis (#14) in Sakiai which should be another easy win for them. Petrochema will play at home against Telsiai (#6) and hope to win that game. In the last two games of round 6 Perlas-MRU crushed Ezerunas-Karys in Vilnius 85-64. Silute beat Vytis at home 92-82. Petrochema – Suduva-Mantinga 53-74The game with biggest result difference took place in Jonava. Local Petrochema (2-4) was outscored by second ranked Suduva-Mantinga (5-1) 74-53. The game without a history. Suduva-Mantinga led from the first minutes and controlled entire game increasing their lead in each quarter. Suduva-Mantinga outrebounded Petrochema 47-29 including a 34-15 advantage in defensive rebounds. Forward Marius Valukonis (198-88) notched a double-double by scoring 14 points and 12 rebounds to lead the effort and Aurimas Kieza (199-82, college: Hofstra) supported him with 11 points and 13 rebounds. Four Suduva-Mantinga players scored in double figures. Even 12 points and 8 rebounds by swingman Vytautas Pikalavicius (197-90) did not help to save the game for Petrochema. Forward Tomas Milinskas …

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