Ventsplis crowned Latvian LBL champions

Ventsplis defeated VEF Riga 81-59 in Game 5 of the Latvian LBL title series to win the clubs’ ninth league title and first since 2009. With home court advantage, Ventsplis strolled to victory and claimed a comfortable 4-1 series win over close rival VEF.

The hosts took the lead early in the contest and never looked back and built success on strong work in the paint, scoring 40 points compared to 18 from VEF. Off the board Ventsplis claimed 39 rebounds, with 31 coming in defence. The game was decided early as the home team had the better of the first quarter by claiming a 19-11 lead in over the first 10 minutes. In the second period Ventsplis fended off an improved VEF Riga display to head into half time with a 39-28 lead. The third quarter proved to be the defining stanza as the hosts score 23 points while restricting VEF to just 14. The score heading into the fourth frame was 62-42 and with a twenty point cushion Ventsplis romped to victory.

Akselis Vairogs scored 18 points and claimed 7 rebounds for the champions, while Janis Timma notched 16 points and 8 rebounds.

Kristaps Janicenoks kept VEF Riga in the game with 15 points.