Basketball: Saldus Lose by a Point to Ventspils as RSU Reach Sixth Win
In Latvia's National Basketball League on 6 November, Saldus lost 79–80 at home to Spars/Ventspils University. RSU beat Riga Basketball School 131–62 and have won all six of their games.
In a Latvian National Basketball League (NBL) game on Friday, 6 November, the Saldus team lost 79–80 at home to Spars/Ventspils University. Saldus led for most of the game but gave up the advantage in the closing minutes. In another game that day in Riga, league leaders RSU (Riga Stradiņš University) beat Riga Basketball School 131–62.
The game in Saldus
Saldus had previously won only one game in the competition, and that was at home. This time the hosts built a five-point lead in the first ten minutes, and it was 42–37 at halftime. They stayed ahead through the second half, and with three minutes left a basket by Kaspars Baumanis put them four points up.
The final minutes went the visitors' way. Emīls Šulcs scored the winning basket, giving Spars/VeA their third win of the season. Jēkabs Graudiņš was the top scorer for the Ventspils side with 17 points, Ričards Vitoļskis added 15, Renārs Ramats 13 and Šulcs 12. Reinis Krūmiņš recorded a double-double with 11 points and ten rebounds. For Saldus, Baumanis scored 20, Raitis Špels 18 and Kristers Ķeķis 14.
RSU stay unbeaten
In Riga, RSU, the champions of the previous tournament, comfortably beat Riga Basketball School. It was their sixth win in six games. Pauls Niedra and Artūrs Kivlenieks each scored 23 points, and Kivlenieks also had seven assists. Artūrs Ozols came close to a triple-double with 16 points, nine rebounds and eight assists, while Jēkabs Niedra scored 15. For the losing side, Mārtiņš Rancāns scored 18 points and was the only player to reach double figures.
In the NBL standings, RSU top the Eastern group with six wins and no losses. In the Western group, Anzāģe/Turība lead with five wins from five games.
