From 4 p.m., the representatives of Kėdainiai “Nevėžis” and “Ulikool” will compete for the third place in the tournament, while in the final, from 6:30 p.m., the Šiauliai team will face the challenge of Riga VEF.
In the first quarter, the initiative belonged to the guests, but in the second, the team from the City of the Sun shifted gears and rushed ahead. Scoring 37 points in the second quarter alone, the yellow and blacks went to the locker room with a double-digit lead – 59:49.
Accurate long-range shots contributed especially to this. By halftime, “Šiauliai” had made 10 of 16 three-pointers, while their opponents responded with 6 shots from the same number of attempts.
In the second half, the Šiauliai basketball players continued to hold the reins of the game, marching beautifully towards the final. At the end of the match, the home team had reached a crushing lead (104:82), but slightly relaxed, they finished the game with a 10-point advantage – 109:99.
Cedric Henderson was one of the main architects of the team’s victory. In 20.5 minutes, he scored 22 points, hitting 4 of 5 two-pointers, 4 of 6 three-pointers, and both free throws. The American also grabbed 3 rebounds, stole 1 ball, made an assist, and committed one turnover. Henderson recorded 23 efficiency points.
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Equally, 23 efficiency points were scored by the team captain Martynas Pacevičius, who was just one rebound short of a double-double. The big man scored 15 points in 20 minutes (5/7 two-pointers, 0/1 three-pointers, 5/6 free throws) and grabbed 9 rebounds.
Mike Caffey, wearing the “Šiauliai” jersey for the first time, delighted fans with his assists, distributing as many as 9 in total. He also added 6 points.
“Šiauliai”: Cedric Henderson 22, Martynas Pacevičius (9 rebounds) 15, Tauras Jogėla 12, Dayvion McKnight (6 assists) 10, Selim Fofana 7, Mike Caffey (9 assists) and Rokas Čivilis 6 each, Eftonas Reed 4, Erikas Venskus 1.
“Ulikool”: Keith Palek 19, Mack Smith 16, Rasmus Andre 14, Robert Valge 13, Thoras Andreas Pevas 9, Rand Roos 7, Christopher Meldo 6, Rauno Nurger 5, Tanel Lepp and Martin Paasoja 3 each, Yehven Kaziuk and Madyslav Sinnik 2 each.
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