Latvian basketball cup opens: Salaspils and Jelgava post dominant first-leg wins

The new season of Latvia's "Užava" basketball cup has begun, with two first-round matches producing lopsided results for the home and away winners.

Salaspils overwhelms Ods

Salaspils/API Mobile, strengthened this season by former Jēkabpils forward Rihards Strauts, defeated BK Ods 102:60 at home. Although Ods kept pace in the opening quarter, Salaspils took full control in the second half, attempting 45 three-pointers and converting 15 of them. Team captain Dāvis Klegeris led all scorers with 20 points, while Ņikita Kuzņecovs, who joined from the now-defunct Sigulda club, added 15 points and seven rebounds. For Ods, player-head coach Dāvis Silenieks stood out with 23 points and 12 rebounds. Salaspils will travel to the return leg in Grobiņa holding a 42-point cushion.

Jelgava cruises past Tukums

Jelgava beat Tukums 91:50 on the road. Tukums were missing Rolands Elksnis, sidelined by a knee injury, and Dāvids Ozoliņš, leaving former University of Latvia captain Edvards Lucis to carry much of the offensive load; he scored 17 points but also committed five turnovers. Jelgava's lineup featured the debut of Mārtiņš Feldmanis, last season's National League champion, who scored 19 points. Kristaps Pļavnieks topped the scoring chart with 20 points, hitting six of eight three-point attempts. Jelgava dominated throughout the second half and now holds a 41-point advantage heading into the return match.

The first round continues in the coming weeks with the remaining pairings, including Siguldas SS against Bauska and Ādaži/Carnikava against Ķekava.