The multiple European champions from Vytautas Magnus University (VMU), coached by Arūnas Juknevičius, defeated the students of LCC International University in Klaipėda by 28 points, 110:82 (32:22, 23:31, 20:12, 35:17) and thus started the Lithuanian Student Basketball League season victoriously.
The team from Kaunas had already built up a double-digit lead after the first quarter – 32:22, and at the start of the second quarter they were leading by as many as 18 points – 42:28. However, the home team did not give up, playing a more successful stretch of 15:7, and a few minutes later – 9:0, with only 2 points separating the teams – 53:55. After the long break, the VMU players shifted into high gear and ultimately crushed the Klaipėda team by 28 points – 110:82.
Kajus Leliukas led the VMU team to victory with 27 points (8/8 two-pointers, 3/5 three-pointers, 2/2 free throws, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 36 efficiency points). Nojus Vaivada added 17 points to the victory, Gabrielius Čelka – 15 (6 rebounds, 8 assists, 27 efficiency points), Rokas Jocys – 14 points.
The VMU team lost the battle for rebounds by a narrow margin, 39:46, but was extremely accurate from mid-range, shooting 70 percent (28/40), while the LCC team shot 49 percent (23/47). “It’s nice to start the season with a win.
“It’s nice to start the season with a win. There was no tension because we felt that we were the more skilled team. However, during the break, I had to talk to the players and urge them not to relax. Overall, I am satisfied with the start of the season,” said VMU coach Arūnas Juknevičius after the game.
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