The BC Wolves (15-7) played much more convincingly in a crucial match against visitors from Panevėžys after starting this week with a tough loss in Jonava.
Nedas Pacevičius’ troops soundly demolished 7bet-Lietkabelis (11-8) via score of 109:72 (27:16, 19:13, 36:25, 27:18) at home and secured the third seed for themselves in the Betsafe-LKL standings.
This was the Wolves’ first victory against the team from Panevėžys team this year. 7bet-Lietkabelis won the first two faceoffs. Additionally, for the Vilnius-based Wolves, this marked a record-setting margin of victory in the history of the club.
The home team started laying the groundwork for this huge win early in the first quarter when they began the match with an impeccable 11-0 run. The same points spread separated both teams by the end of the first quarter – 27:16. By halftime, the Wolves’ lead slightly increased – 46:29.
The question of who would be the victors in this game was no longer in doubt when the Wolves scored 17 unanswered points in the third quarter – 63:29. Before the start of the fourth quarter, the lead ballooned to 82:54. Despite the sure victory, the BC Wolves did not relax their hold on the advantage, and at one point the gap between the two teams was just insurmountable – 97:55. The final highlight was the 100th point for the club courtesy of Tre’shawn Thurman, and the final siren eventually ended the visitors’ misery.
The most valuable player for the winners this time was Christian Mekowulu, who celebrated his 29th birthday on the day of the match. He scored 17 points and added 4 rebounds with 3 steals, and finished with 25 utility points. Kristupas Žemaitis (13 points, 7 assists, 4 assists, 21 EFF), Rasheed Sulaimon (16 points, 20 EFF) and Regimantas Miniotas (13 points) were also very instrumental for the club.
The Panevėžys club were without Djordje Gagic in this game.
BC Wolves: Christian Mekowulu 17, Rasheed Sulaimon 16, Eigirdas Žukauskas 15, Kristupas Žemaitis and Regimantas Miniotas 13 each, Garrison Brooks 12, Jeffery Taylor 8, Arnas Beručka and Tre’Shawn Thurman 5 each, Vitalijs Kozys 3, Vaidas Kariniauskas 2.
7bet-Lietkabelis: Džiugas Slavinskas 15, Deividas Sirvydis 14, Martynas Varnas 9.
(Photo: Saulius Čirba)
