By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
VEF Riga recorded their first win of this season in the FIBA Basketball Champions League, as they defeated Szolnoki Olaj 76–62 at home in the fifth round of Group F.
Kristaps Klips was the top scorer for the winning side with 19 points, while Ilya Sidorov added 17. Arnaldo Toro also had an excellent game with nine points and as many as 18 rebounds.
On the other side, Auston Barnes and Brady Skeens (11 rebounds) scored 17 points each, while Boris Krnjajski added 12, but the problem was that the rest of the team combined for only 16 points.
The key quarter in Latvia was the second, which Riga won 20–8, gaining a substantial lead. The Hungarians managed to close the gap to four points on two occasions, but the home team avoided any late drama and ultimately secured the victory.
This win means that VEF Riga is still in the race for a place in the play-in. The Latvians are now at 1–4, and in the last round, in a must-win game, they visit Levice. On the other hand, Szolnoki are at 2–3, and in the sixth round they host AEK in Hungary, a game that will also be very important for them.
Postgame press conference: