JELGAVA, Latvia — The contenders separated themselves from the pretenders in the Baltic Basketball League this weekend.
The weekend was one of the busiest on the BBL calendar this season with a six games being played. Lithuanian heavyweights Lietuvos Rytas and Žalgiris retained their unbeaten records while this season’s hard luck story VEF Riga finally produced four quarters of basketball to showcase their true potential.
The weekend’s action begun in Riga on Friday when VEF Riga hosted Nevėžis. Nevėžis have a less-than-perfect record but nonetheless were not expected to have too much trouble in disposing of VEF Riga. However, nobody informed VEF Riga of this who came out of the blocks firing, amassing 67 points in the first half (six more than their opponent managed in the game!) to cruise to a 113-61 victory. Ingus Bankevics was particularly devastating for hosts, claiming 32 points. Alex Renfroe also claimed a rare triple, with 10 rebounds, 10 assists and 16 points.
On to Saturday’s action and it was Liepājas Lauvas who had little answer for their guests from Šiauliai as the visitors walked away victors 94-76. The victory came on the back of a strong first half with Liepājas Lauvas failing to fire a shot until well into the third quarter when the game was already beyond doubt.
Guard Janis Strelnieks takes a jumper, helping lead Ventspils 83-71 over Valmiera. Photo used courtesy of the BK Ventspils.
Ventspils were hosting Latvia’s other game as they met their countrymen Valmiera. Ventspils started the game sluggishly but as they began to find their rhythm Valmiera could not keep up with their opponents who pulled away to win 83-71 to cement their place in the competition’s top-four.
Nevėžis miserable weekend continued on Saturday when they returned home to host Kalev/Cramo on Saturday as Kalev/Cramo looked to keep Estonian hopes alive. Nevėžis looked to have done enough as they took a 3-point lead into the final period, before some inspired shooting from Josh Akognon and Charron Fisher carried Kalev/Cramo to a remarkable comeback 95-85 victory.
The second Estonian team Rock were also visiting Lithuania to take on Žalgiris. Much their performances in Euro League of late, Žalgiris performed below expectations and making hard work out of what should have been a regulation victory over Rock as they sneaking home 73-68. Even with as little as three seconds left in the game Rock were an outside chance of forcing the game into over-time with the deficit just three. However, forcing the foul did not work with Žalgiris making the subsequent two free-throws.
Finishing the weekend of on Sunday Kalev/Cramo never looked like returning to Estonia with two wins under their belt as Lietuvos Rytas proved that they are in a league of their own, handing Kalev/Cramo 97-74 hiding. Admittedly Kalev/Cramo held their own for a significant period of the game but went to sleep in the final quarter, something they could ill afford to do against a classy outfit such as Lietuvos Rytas.
