BC Siauliai wins Baltic League

BC Siauliai kept its grip on the Baltic League by retaining the title it won last year, this time defeating KK Ventspils 88-80 after the game went to overtime.

Ventspils was holding a two point lead from leg 1 (70-68) but knew that heading to Siauliai would be a tough test. And so it proved as the hosts took the title in front of their home fans to stop the visitors winning the Baltic League crown they last won in 2013. Baskets rained easily through the first quarter, but BC Siauliai edged the frame 18-17. In the second act the Latvian visitors opened a five point gap over their compatriot, and by halftime it was 32-38 and Ventspils looked in control. That soon changed after the long break as the hosts used a 13-2 run to get back into the game and make it 61-57 through thirty minutes. In the fourth quarter Siauliai saw out the win in regulation, but on aggregate the score was locked. In the added stanza the home team carried the momentum to win the championship.

Rokas Giedraitis set the tone for Siauliai with 22 points, while Gintaras Leonavicius and Julius Jucikas logged 18 apiece, with Jucikas also adding 9 rebounds.

Kristaps Janicenkos also scored 18 points to lead Ventspils, followed by 17 points from Jerai Grant.