TTT Riga Hampered by Foul Trouble in Baltic League Loss to Vilnius Kibirkstis

Riga women's basketball team TTT lost 59-80 to Lithuanian club Vilnius Kibirkstis on Saturday, 10 October, in its first home game of the Women's Baltic League. The match pitted two teams that play in European competitions, and the hosts were hampered by foul trouble: Aušrine Gaubīte and Enija Ķīvīte both reached the limit of five fouls in the third quarter.

How the game unfolded

Kibirkstis centre Daugile Ūse scored the visitors' first points and helped build a nine-point lead at 3-12. TTT scored their first points at the end of the fifth minute through Paula Mauriņa (5-12). The hosts later closed to 15-20, and after substitutes came on they cut the gap to a single point at 20-21.

When Kibirkstis' main players returned, the visitors pulled away again. At that point TTT began to struggle with fouls: Gaubīte had four, while Ieva Pulvere and Ķīvīte had three each. At halftime Vilnius led 39-29.

In the third quarter Gaubīte quickly picked up her fifth foul, and Ķīvīte did the same in the 28th minute, leaving TTT with eight players in the rotation. By the end of the quarter the visitors led by 20 points, 68-48.

Background

Vilnius had the advantage in size and depth, with three experienced big players and the young Gabija Galvanauskaite. TTT were without injured Aubrey Griffin and Ieva Vēvere. Five former TTT players are now on the Vilnius roster.

What comes next

TTT's next Baltic League game is on 18 October against Rokiškis 1499. The team begins its European Cup campaign on 22 October in Romania, while Kibirkstis host Greek champions Athinaikos on 14 October in their EuroLeague opener.