Lithuania – NKL Round 8: Suduva-Mantinga keeps a leadership position

AntanasUdras The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Suduva-Mantinga as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Suduva-Mantinga smashed 8th ranked Mazeikiai in Marijampole 112-80. The game was mostly controlled by Suduva-Mantinga. Mazeikiai managed to win fourth quarter 22-19. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Suduva-Mantinga dominated down low during the game scoring 76 of its points in the paint compared to Mazeikiai’s 30. Suduva-Mantinga forced 23 Mazeikiai turnovers and outrebounded them 38-27 including 28 on the defensive glass. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 32 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of forward Antanas Udras (203-92, agency: Octagon Europe) who helped to win the game recording 21 points and 8 rebounds (on 10-of-13 shooting from the field) and guard Evaldas Saulys (190-93) who added 20 points and 5 assists during the contest. Suduva-Mantinga’s coach Marius Kiltinavicius felt very confident that he used 10 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Mantas Serksnas (202-96) responded with 15 points and 6 rebounds. Suduva-Mantinga (7-1) have an impressive seven-game winning streak. As mentioned above they are at the top of the standings, which they share with Nafta-Uni. Mazeikiai at the other side keeps the eighth place with five games lost. They share the position with 3 other teams. Mazeikiai will play next round against Silute trying to get back on the winning streak. Suduva-Mantinga will try to continue on its current victory against fifth ranked Rasai in Raseiniai. Bottom-ranked Vytis managed to get a second victory, breaking the two-game losing streak. This time they won against thirteenth-ranked Ezerunas-Karys in Moletai 79-65. The winners were led by guard Paulius Beliavicius (194-88) who scored that evening 27 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists and Edvinas Jezukevicius supported him with 20 points and 12 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). Even 14 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists by guard Marius Pociukonis (189-82) did not help to save the game for Ezerunas-Karys. Ezerunas-Karys’ coach Paulius Barkus rotated eleven players and allowed the starting five to rest. Vytis (2-6) moved-up to twelfth place, which they share with Petrochema. Ezerunas-Karys lost seventh consecutive game. They dropped to the bottom position with seven games lost. Vytis will play against higher ranked KTU (#7) in Kaunas in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Ezerunas-Karys will play on the road against Petrochema (#12) in Jonava and it may be a tough game between close rivals. The game in Kaunas was also quite interesting. Third ranked Perlas-MRU (6-2) played at the court of 8th ranked Zalgiris II (3-5). Perlas-MRU defeated Zalgiris II 90-78 on Saturday. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Zalgiris II. The best player for the winners was Margiris Normantas who scored 32 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. Laurynas Birutis produced 22 points and 6 rebounds (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field) for the hosts. Both coaches used bench players saving starting five for next games. Perlas-MRU have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain third position with 6-2 record behind leader Suduva-Mantinga. Loser Zalgiris II keeps the eighth place with five games lost. They share the position with 3 other teams. Perlas-MRU will meet at home Palanga (#8) in the next round where they are favorite. Zalgiris II will play against Telsiai in Telsiu and hope to secure a win. The game in Palanga supposed to be also worth to mention about. Second ranked Nafta-Uni. (7-1) played at the court of 7th ranked Palanga (3-5). Nafta-Uni. smashed Palanga 82-60. Erikas Kubilius orchestrated the victory by scoring 10 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 blocks. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Nafta-Uni. have a solid four-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Suduva-Mantinga. Palanga at the other side dropped to the eighth place with five games lost. Nafta-Uni.’s next round opponent will be Delikatesas (#11) in Joniskis and are hoping to win another game. Palanga will play on the road against Perlas-MRU in Vilnius and hope to win that game. An interesting game took place in Telsiu where higher ranked Telsiai (5-3) was upset on its own court by eleventh ranked KTU (4-4) 75-65 on Saturday. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Telsiai. Worth to mention a great performance of Ignas Labutis who helped to win the game recording 16 points and 5 rebounds. KTU moved-up to seventh place. Loser Telsiai keeps the fourth position with three games lost. KTU will face Vytis (#13) in Sakiai in the next round where they are favorite. Telsiai will play at home against Zalgiris II (#9) and hope to win that game. In the last two games of round 8 Petrochema was destroyed by Rasai on the opponent’s court 100-72. Silute outscored Delikatesas in a home game 90-58. The most impressive stats of the last round was 27 points by Sarunas Vingelis of Rasai.Ezerunas-Karys – Vytis 65-79Bottom-ranked Vytis managed to get a second victory, breaking the two-game losing streak. This time they won against thirteenth-ranked Ezerunas-Karys in Moletai 79-65. The game was mostly controlled by Vytis. Ezerunas-Karys was better in fourth quarter 18-13. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. The winners were led by guard Paulius Beliavicius (194-88) who scored that evening 27 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists and center Edvinas Jezukevicius (207-90) supported him with 20 points and 12 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). Even 14 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists by guard Marius Pociukonis (189-82) did not help to save the game for Ezerunas-Karys. Laurynas Kirlys (191-93) added 15 points for the hosts. Ezerunas-Karys’ coach Paulius Barkus rotated eleven players and allowed the starting five to rest. Vytis (2-6) moved-up to twelfth place, which they share with Petrochema. Ezerunas-Karys lost seventh …

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