VEF defeated Kalev on the road, 82-74 (16-17, 23-18, 20-24, 23-15).
Top Scorers
Kalev: Mark Tollefsen (16), Erik Keedus (15+6 reb), Cedric Simmons (12+7 reb)
VEF: Janis Blums (31), Alex Gordon (11), Kristopher Richard (10+6 reb+5 ast)
Build-Up
For Kalev, a loss to VEF meant elimination from the playoff chase. The visitors, on the other hand, had a chance to move above .500 and move within a game and a half of 5th-place UNICS.
The first half belonged to Riga superstar Janis Blums. The 34-year-old forward came off the bench to score 21 points on 7-9 three-point shooting. Not surprisingly, the visitors led 39-35 at halftime.
Kalev battled back in the 3rd quarter,leading by as much as five, 59-54, late in the period. But Blums was able to convert at the free-throw line and Alex Gordon hit a 3-pointer in the final seconds to tie the game, 59-59, with 10 minutes remaining.
Turning Point
Kalev led early in the 4th behind five points from Mickell Gladness. But Blums kept scoring, giving his team the lead, 67-66, on a 3-pointer with 7:50 to play.
Down the stretch, VEF had an answer for every Kalev basket. After the home team pulled within two in the final minutes, Mareks Mejeris threw down a huge dunk and Kristopher Richard followed with two clutch free throws to ice the win.
VEF improves to 10-9, within striking distance of 5th-place UNICS. Kalev is officially eliminated from postseason contention with the loss.
Stat
26 – number of made 3-pointers in the game. VEF had 15, Kalev hit 11.
Up Next
Kalev: April 3 at CSKA
VEF: March 30 vs. Parma
