VMU victory in Kazlų Rūda
A somewhat unexpected result was achieved by the Vytautas Magnus University team on Wednesday, defeating Kazlų Rūda's Ataka – Kauno Kolegija, which has been difficult to beat on the road this season, 85:62 (16:20, 21:18, 26:8, 22:16) away from home, and now leads the series 1-0.
The turning point of the match came in the third quarter, when VMU started with a 16:2 lead and built a double-digit lead (53:40). As time went on, the gap between the teams only grew, and Kazlų Rūda, unable to get back into the match, had to admit the victory to the visitors.
Julius Liesis dominated VMU with 29 points, and Ž.Sabaliauskas scored 9.
Lorenas Stoškevičius and Žygimantas Kerza scored 11 points each for Ataka – Kauno kolegija.
Kėdainiai secures a ticket to the cup final
While some teams are fighting for a ticket to the quarterfinals, the four strongest teams from the regular season are competing for the title of "Leaders Cup" champions.
In the first semi-final, Kėdainiai Sports Center and Birštonas "Milasta" met. Kėdainiai won with a score of 83:72 (27:14, 19:16, 14:16, 23:26).
The Birštonas team started the game in the first half, when they allowed their opponents to build a solid lead (27:14). As time went on, the gap between the teams only grew, and Kėdainiai, who did not encounter much resistance, were happy with the victory.
The top scorer for Kėdainiai was Rokas Ūzas with 25 points, N.Bukauskas – 15, L.Danielius – 14, L.Bimba – 12.
For the "Milasta" team, Simonas Kriaučiūnas and Laurynas Miknevičius scored 14 points each, I. Bilinskas - 12, T. Rinkūnas - 11.
Klaipėda opened the playoffs with an easy victory
LCC International University started the playoffs with an easy victory, defeating Kupiškis basketball players 92:68 (22:19, 23:20, 22:20, 25:9) at home and taking a 1-0 lead in the series to three wins.
LCC team broke the deadlock in the third quarter, where they built a double-digit lead (56:41). Kupiškis returned to the game before the decisive quarter (67:59), but the hosts played a 14:2 period and gained a crushing advantage (83:61), which they maintained until the end of the game.
LCC was led by Kornelijus Zikas with 25 points, P.Narvilas – 19, K.Jonauskas – 12.
Kupiškis was led by Justas Maceikis with 15 points, G. Jonaitis – 13, A. Jukna – 11.
Raseiniai take home advantage
The away victory was secured by Raseiniai "Raseiniai", who defeated Šiauliai district "Gravų – Kuršėnų SM" 85:69 (22:13, 21:20, 23:24, 19:12) and are now ahead 1 - 0.
Raseiniai controlled the match for most of the match. In the second half, the guests took the lead (31:17). Kuršėnai did not intend to give up and came close in the third half (54:50). However, Raseiniai's team went on a 10:0 run at the beginning of the fourth half and again built a double-digit lead (76:61), which the hosts were unable to eliminate.
The top scorer for the winners was Augustas Žilinskas with 14 points, A.Beisys – 13, D.Grenda and A.Strikulys – 12 each, A.Adomauskas – 10.
For the Kuršėnai team, Aurelijus Jančenko scored 19 points, E. Daunys – 12.
The hurricane-force attack of Gargždai brought victory
The playoffs also started in Division B, and in the first match, Gargždai SC, who have been hard to stop this season, had no problems, defeating Vilnius KM 107:74 (19:16, 35:17, 26:22, 27:19) in front of their fans and winning the series 1-0.
The intrigue was only visible in the first half, after which the hosts led by just 3 points (19:16). However, everything changed in the second quarter, when Gargždai went on a 12:0 run and built a double-digit lead (39:23), which they gradually increased and enjoyed a secure victory.
Gargždai was led by Lukas Polekauskas with 23 points, T.Augustas – 18, A.Toliušis and U.Mineikis – 14 each, N.Sokolov – 13.
Jonas Skramtai added 16 points for the Vilnius team, A.Bukelskis – 11.
