By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
The leader of the German BBL, Ratiopharm Ulm, had a 53-41 half time lead in Lithuania and the road win seemed more than possible. In the end, however, Lietkabelis thanks to its defense turned things around and got the big 86-84 win.
The Lithuanians have now a 1-1 record in Group F of the Eurocup Top16, while Ulm remains at 0-2. The key was the third period, during which Lietkabalis let Ulm score just 11 points and cut their lead to 4 points (64-60). The comeback was completed in the last quarter with Lietkabelis entering the last minute leading by four (84-80).
Taylor Braun made it a two points game (84-82), Ben Magden (12 p.) missed a three for Lietkabelis, but Chris Babb missed the chance to tie the game with 6 seconds left on the clock. Lorenzo Williams was fouled, he made his free throws and Augustine Rubit (18 p.) answered with a two (86-84), just two seconds before the final buzzer. In the time left, Karsten Tadda manage to steal the ball from Zygimantas Janavicius but couldn’t made a long range shot and win the game.
Mindaugas Lukaskis with 21 points and Ksistof Lavrinovich with 19 were once more the leaders of the winners. Raymar Morgan of Ulm scored 27 points in just 19 minutes on 11/13 shots, but it was not enough.