Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius took a big step towards reaching the BKT EuroCup Playoffs by winning 70-96 at already-eliminated Dolomiti Energia Trento on Tuesday. The Wolves opened a 14-point lead in the second quarter and was not threatened the rest of the way in winning back-to-back games for a 9-8 record in Group A. 

A victory in the final round against Buducnost VOLI Podgorica will put the Lithuanian side in the playoffs.

Neither team was able to score in the first 2 minutes until Marek Blazevic’s tip-in for the visitors. Wolves followed with 4 triples and led 0-14. Eigirdas Zukauskas hit a three-pointer to finally get the hosts on the scoreboard after nearly 5 minutes. Toto Forray’s 6 points for Trento closed the gap to 9-16, but the Wolves finished the first quarter on a 2-9 run to lead 11-25 after 10 minutes.

Wolves opened the scoring in the second quarter to increase the cushion to 16 points. Myles Cale scored 7 points in an 11-1 burst to get Trento within 24-30. Jeffery Taylor hit a triple to stop the bleeding for the Wolves and start a 2-10 answer to lead 26-40. Wolves went into the break ahead 30-40.

Trento twice scored to make it a 10-point game in the third quarter - the second time being 38-48. The hosts failed to score for the next 2+ minutes and Andrew Andrews scored for 6 points as the Wolves led 38-56. Jogela and Zemaitis added three-pointers and the Wolves held a 50-68 advantage after three quarters.

Wolves put the game out of reach with the first 6 points of the fourth quarter to extend the lead to 50-74. Trento did not get closer than 20 points the rest of the night.

Andrews paced four Wolves scorers in double figures with 19 points - including 12-of-14 from the free throw line.

E. Žukauskas scored 6 Points in 13 Minutes against his former team in which he played for two seasons.

Wolves Twinsbet: Andrew Andrews 19, Matas Jogėla 14, Anthony Cowan and Kristupas Žemaitis 13 each, Garrison Brooks and Jeffery Taylor 9 each, Marek Blaževič and Arnoldas Kulboka 8 each, Justinas Marcinkevičius 2, Regimantas Miniotas 1. Tre’Shawn Thurman and Vaidas Kariniauskas did not score.

Dolomiti Energia: Saliou Niang 11, Quinn Ellis 10.

Coach's comment

The final EuroCup group stage game for Wolves Twinsbet will be on February 5 in Vilnius against Budućnost Podgorica.

(Photo by Saulius Čirba)