Three for three: Latvian basketball clubs sweep Lithuanian rivals in one evening
In Friday's pre-season friendlies, all three leading Latvian basketball clubs — Valmiera Glass/ViA, VEF Rīga and Rīgas Zeļļi — defeated Lithuanian opponents. The results give Latvian basketball a strong boost heading into the new season.
Three of Latvia's top basketball clubs faced Lithuanian opponents in pre-season friendlies on Friday, and all three came away with victories.
Valmiera delights home crowd
At the Valmiera Olympic Centre, where more than 150 spectators turned out, the home side Valmiera Glass/ViA hosted Jonava, coached by Steponas Babrauskas. Valmiera started strongly, with Nigerian forward Aminu Mohammeds standing out in the opening quarter alongside a strong scoring run from Verners Kohs. Valmiera's lead grew to as much as 17 points during the first half, ending it 41:31 ahead. Jonava fought back in the second half, creating a tense finish, but Valmiera held on to win 80:76 — the team's first pre-season victory and the first win for new head coach Dāvis Čoders. Brice McBride led the scoring with 14 points, while Verners Kohs and new Latvian citizen Jake Heidbreder each added 13.
VEF Rīga wins on the road
VEF Rīga, which faces important FIBA Champions League qualifying games in just ten days, traveled to face Nevėžis of Kėdainiai. The Riga side built an early lead and went into halftime ahead 43:36, then maintained roughly a ten-point margin in the second half to close out an 84:76 win. Caleb Asberry topped the scoring with 20 points, while Mareks Mejeris added 16 points and 14 rebounds.
Rīgas Zeļļi confirm good form
Rīgas Zeļļi defeated Gargždai at home. After a tight opening quarter, the Riga team took control in the second period, leading 51:37 at halftime, before extending the margin to 22 points in the third quarter. The game ended 89:71 in favor of Rīgas Zeļļi.
