VEF Rīga cruise to victory in first pre-season warm-up match
VEF Rīga defeated the University of Latvia student team 96:61 in their first pre-season friendly. American guard Jordan Sears led the winners with 29 points.
Twelve-time Latvian champions VEF Rīga have played their first warm-up match ahead of the upcoming season, beating the University of Latvia student team 96:61 at the Rimi Olympic Sports Centre.
VEF Rīga took the court missing several foreign players and athletes currently on national team duty. Forward Ojārs Siliņš was also absent after picking up an injury while training with the Latvian national team.
The Riga side took control early, building a lead in the opening quarter and going into halftime ahead 51:37. The gap continued to widen in the second half, with VEF closing out the game 96:61 (24:17, 27:20, 26:12, 19:12).
Top scorers
American guard Jordan Sears was VEF's top performer with 29 points and four assists. Artūrs Ozols dominated inside with 22 points and eight rebounds, while newcomer Caleb Asberry added 10 points. Rinalds Timma also played half the game for VEF, though he takes part in open training sessions and has not yet signed a contract with the club.
For the students, Harijs Kaupmanis top-scored with 11 points, followed by Gotfrīds Hofmanis with 10.
What's next
Head coach Jevgeņijs Kosuškins has little time to prepare his squad, as VEF Rīga will open the FIBA Champions League qualifying tournament on September 14 in Samokov, Bulgaria, facing Azerbaijani club Landau Lions of Baku. To reach the group stage, the team must win four straight knockout matches. Before that, VEF will also play warm-up games against Lithuanian sides Nevėžis and Rytas.
