Latvia – LBL Round 11: Jurmala beats Valmiera in the most crucial game of the week

Ugis Pinete The round was rather attractive and full of interesting results. The round ended with favorites losing the games and games ending by tiny margin.An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Jurmala. Second ranked Jurmala faced 4th placed Valmiera. Host Jurmala (7-5) defeated guests from Valmiera (5-5) 76-62. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Valmiera. The game was mostly controlled by Jurmala. Valmiera managed to win third quarter 19-13. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. The best player for the winners was guard Ugis Pinete (194-91) who scored 20 points and 4 assists. Arturs Strelnieks (196-85) chipped in 11 points and 15 rebounds. Jurmala’s coach Arnis Vecvagars used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. point guard Janis Kaufmanis (186-89) produced 18 points and 4 assists for the guests. Jurmala have a solid series of four victories in a row. They maintain second place with 7-5 record having just two points less than leader Ventspils. Defending champion Valmiera dropped to the fifth position with five games lost. Jurmala will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Valmiera will play on the road against VEF Riga (#3) and it may be a tough game between close rivals. Leader Ventspils delivered the tenth victory. This time they crushed 10th ranked Latvijas Universitate (1-8) 100-64 in Riga. The former international Rihards Kuksiks (197-88, college: Arizona St., agency: HMS) orchestrated the victory by scoring 21 points and 5 rebounds (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field). Edgaras Zelionis contributed with 18 points (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field) for the winners. Peteris Rekis (197-93) answered with 14 points for Latvijas Universitate. 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 have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain first place with 10-1 record. Latvijas Universitate lost fourth consecutive game. They stay at the bottom position with eight games lost. Ventspils will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Latvijas Universitate will play at home against Jekabpils (#4) to get more than just one victory in their record. The game in Liepaja was also quite interesting. Sixth ranked Jekabpils (5-4) played at the court of 8th ranked Liepaja/Triobet (3-7). Jekabpils managed to secure a 7-point victory 84-77 on Saturday. It was a great evening for Rinalds Sirsnins who led his team to a victory scoring 17 points, 7 assists and 4 steals. Jekabpils’ coach Rudolfs Rozitis allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Ryan Cook responded with 18 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Jekabpils moved-up to fourth place. Liepaja/Triobet lost third consecutive game. They keep the eighth position with seven games lost. They share it with BK Ogre. Jekabpils will meet bottom-ranked Latvijas Universitate (#10) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Liepaja/Triobet will play against Latvijas Universitate and it may be a tough game between close rivals. The game in Jekabpils was also worth to mention about. Fifth ranked Barons Riga (5-6) played at the court of 6th ranked Jekabpils (5-4). Barons Riga managed to secure a 5-point victory 81-76. It was an exceptional evening for Davis Geks who led the winners and scored 21 points. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Despite that victory Barons Riga went down to sixth position due to points difference. Jekabpils at the other side dropped to the fourth place with four games lost. Barons Riga’s supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Riga to the arena . Important game to mention about took place in Ogre. Ninth ranked BK Ogre (3-7) saved a 3-point victory at home edging higher ranked Barons Riga (5-6) 82-79 on Saturday evening. The best player for the winners was Marcis Vitols who scored 18 points and 6 assists. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. BK Ogre moved-up to eighth place, which they share with Liepaja/Triobet. Loser Barons Riga dropped to the sixth position with six games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest. BK Ogre – Barons Riga 82-79Important game to mention about took place …

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