Rīga Ekselences Juniors claim first win in overtime thriller over University of Latvia
In the Latvia-Estonia Basketball League, Rīga Ekselences Juniors beat University of Latvia 94:87 in overtime to secure their first win of the season, after recovering from a huge early deficit.
Rīga Ekselences Juniors recorded their first win of the Latvia-Estonia Basketball League season, defeating University of Latvia 94:87 in overtime at the Team Sports Games Hall.
Game flow
The home side had a disastrous start, with University of Latvia scoring the first ten points and building a lead as large as 21:2 early in the first quarter, later extending it to 20 points. Ekselences Juniors fought back, however, and trailed by just one basket by halftime.
University of Latvia regained a small lead in the third quarter, but the home team surged ahead for the first time in the game at the start of the fourth quarter. Several lead changes followed in the closing minutes, with University of Latvia and the home side trading the advantage, until Rinalds Timma made a basket two seconds before the buzzer to tie the score and force overtime. Ekselences Juniors then controlled the extra period to seal the win.
Top performers
Helmuts Petrovičs led the winners with 18 points, adding six assists and five rebounds. Among the reserves, Eduards Ābele contributed 17 points, while Timma recorded a double-double. For University of Latvia, Pīdžejs Heizs top-scored with 21 points, and Rodrigo Jugans posted a double-double. The team was again without American player Veins Makkinnijs, who had scored 18 points in the previous game.
What's next
Ekselences Juniors will close their three-game home stretch on Wednesday against Viimsi, while University of Latvia continues a four-game road trip with stops in Keila, Ogre and Valmiera.
