Ogre take late lead in Tallinn but lose to TalTech 78-82

Ogre lost 78-82 (26-21, 25-18, 18-18, 13-21) away to TalTech/Alexela of Tallinn in the Latvian-Estonian Basketball League on 21 October. Ogre are coached by Arturs Visockis-Rubenis. The defeat leaves the Latvian side eighth in the table with two wins and three losses.

How the game unfolded

Ogre began better and led by six points after a basket by Juris Vitols. The hosts then took control, and the first quarter ended with a three-pointer from Drake Dobbs that cut the gap to 21-26.

Early in the second quarter the Estonian side, who won bronze medals in the Estonian championship last season, went on a 15-0 run and came close to a 20-point lead. Ogre later recovered some ground, and with Vitols hitting two threes in a row the half ended 39-51.

After the break, Guntis Sipolins cut the deficit to six with a close-range shot. Gregor Ilves then hit a three-pointer to restore TalTech's 12-point lead (69-57).

The decisive quarter

In the final period the Estonian offence stalled and Ogre ran off 13 unanswered points, taking their first lead of the game at 70-69. Hosts' coach Alar Varak called a timeout, after which veteran Oliver Metsalu converted a 2+1 play. With under three minutes left, a basket by Tormi Nits prompted Ogre's coach to call a timeout. Out of it, Owen Lobzinger committed a passing turnover, and the visitors never regained the lead.

Top performers

Vitols was Ogre's best player with 26 points, 11 assists and two steals, though he also made six turnovers. Sipolins added 18 points and eight rebounds. TalTech's top scorer was Nits with 17 points.

Ogre's next game is at home against Ventspils on 24 October.