RIGA — VEF Riga pushed Ventspils hard before falling 91-94 in the latest Baltic Basketball League action.
The only game of the weekend was an all-Latvian affair as VEF Riga were trying to replicate some of the form they have been showing in the Latvian domestic competition of late. Playing at home VEF Riga unfortunately could not count on having a home crowd behind them with just 700 showing up for the game.
It did not take long for the teams to settle into their work with the first period one of the highest scoring seen this season. The lead ebbed and flowed with VEF establishing a quick five-point advantage, only for Ventspils to go on an unbroken 10-point streak to establish a slight advantage, with Mareks Jurevičus playing the role of main instigator with nine quick points. it was enough to help his team hold a two-point (29:27) advantage at the end of the quarter.
The second quarter followed a pattern similar to that of the first with one team stretching out a lead only to be reeled back in. Trailing by as much as seven, VEF Riga rallied together to claim back the lead, only for Ventspils to hit back as halftime approached with Dairis Bertans’ jump shot with the clock showing three seconds giving Ventspils a three-point lead (48:45).
After the break Ventspils looked to consolidate their lead with Artūrs Strēlnieks contolling Ventspils’ play as VEF Riga began to fade. Going into the final quarter, Ventspils would have been feeling cautiously optimistic leading 68:62.
Their reason for caution proved valuable as VEF Riga began the final quarter with a renewed energy. A strong rally saw them claiming the lead at 76:74 with just under seven minutes remaining. Not surprisingly this spurred Ventspils back into the action as they quickly reclaimed the lead, one which they would not relinquish for the remainder of the match.
However, VEF Riga would not roll over that easily and when Artūrs Štālbergs sunk a clutch three with four seconds remaining, some began to wonder if they could muster the one more point they needed to overhaul their guests.
However, the experience of the Ventspils team shone through as they remained calm with Ernests Kalves making two free-throws after being intentionally fouled with two seconds remaining. Sandis Valters attempted buzzer beater to send the game into overtime proved fruitless with Ventspils finally prevailing.
This is a busy week for the BBL, beginning tomorrow evening when Šiauliai plays host to Latvian counterparts, Valmiera. VEF Riga are also back on the court on Tuesday when they host Liepājas Lauvas.
