Neither team managed to gain a solid lead in any quarter, and the first turning point of the game occurred in the middle of the 3rd quarter. Then “Tauragė” went on a 10:0 run and built a 13-point lead – 55:42.
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At the beginning of the 4th quarter, the difference between the teams had grown to 19 points (71:52), but the hosts failed to finish the game calmly. The Jonava team launched an assault and with 2 minutes left tied the score – 77:77.
In the last minute, the teams met with Tauragė leading 81:79, and Nicholas Johnson drove to the basket to tie the score.
For the last attack, “Tauragė” had 7.5 seconds, but it ended with a difficult and inaccurate three-point shot. The teams had to go into overtime.
During the additional 5 minutes, the pattern of the game did not change, but after two two-pointers by Vaidas Kariniauskas and a three-pointer by James Blackmon, with one and a half minutes left, the Tauragė team pulled away again – 90:85.
Matas Repšys responded with a very difficult accurate three-pointer from the corner, but on the other side of the court, V. Kariniauskas again took care of everything with individual efforts – 92:88.
With 16 seconds left, Clevonas Brown brought his team closer again with a dunk, but J. Blackmon restored Tauragė’s 4-point lead with two free throws.
In their last attack, the Jonava team made a mistake, earned an unsportsmanlike foul, and had to accept defeat.
The Tauragė team was led to victory by V. Kariniauskas. The experienced guard scored 20 points (6/7 two-pointers, 8/8 free throws), made 6 assists, grabbed 3 rebounds, and collected as many as 31 efficiency points.
J. Blackmon also scored 20 points, and Benas Griciūnas added 14.
In the “Hipocredit” team, the top scorers were N. Johnson (24), Tim Lambrecht (18), and Reginaldas Mesidoras (16).
“Tauragė”: Vaidas Kariniauskas and James Blackmon with 20 each, Benas Griciūnas 14, Andrijus Voinalovičius 13, Donovanas Jacksonas 12, Camrenas Hayesas 8.
“Hipocredit”: Nick Johnson 24, Tim Lambrecht 18, Reginaldas Mesidoras 16, Clevonas Brown 13, Damoni Harrison 9, Matas Repšys 7.
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