Fidler, Lukashov and Pinete save the day for Riga Zelli
- marisnoviks
- 6 hours ago
- 2 min read
Riga Zelli scored 37 points in the fourth quarter to defeat relentless Newcastle Eagles, 96-88, on Wednesday, January 21, at the historic Daugava Sports hall in Latvian capital.
Players of the game
Frankie Fidler had a slow start and very strong finish for Riga Zelli.
A former Omaha and Michigan State star scored 18 of his 24 points in the last 10 minutes.
Fidler went 5/11 from the field and a perfect 13/13 from the charity stripe.
He forced six fouls in the fourth quarter.
Denis Lukashov made two crucial three pointers to finish with 13 points.
Zelli captain Uģis Pinete hit his lone three pointer with 28 seconds left – to double Riga lead, 92-86.
Newcomer Mike Adewunmi contributed with 13 points.
A former University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley wing had five assists and two steals.
Cole Long led Newcastle Eagles with a game high 25 points.
Canadian forward from University of Detroit Mercy went 5/10 from the three point line.
Key stats
Riga Zelli started the game better to build a 13 points lead midway the second quarter, 31-18.
Newcastle Eagles answered with a 0-7 run to make it a two possession game at the half, 41-35.
The Eagles continued their push into the second half.
Tyneside Boys grabbed some offensive rebounds and improved their shooting to cut the gap to a single point, 59-58, with 10 minutes left.
Frankie Fidler took over for Riga Zelli in the fourth quarter, while Denis Lukashov and Uģis Pinete added some firepower from the deep.
Riga Zelli outscored Newcastle Eagles in the fourth quarter, 37-30.
Game notes
Riga Zelli improved to 4-3, while Newcastle Eagles dropped to 0-5.
Riga Zelli are 1-2 on the home floor – playing in three different venues.
Juris Umbraško and his men improved their chances to qualify for the 2026 playoffs.
Recently they advanced to the 2026 Latvian Cup semifinals.
Newcastle Eagles made it to the 2025 ENBL final but are 0-6 since then.
They will miss the 2026 playoffs after a loss in Riga.
ENBL access: follow the game on YouTube
ENBL standings as of January 21, 2026 | without tie-breakers
Syntainics MBC 6-0, +126 Q
Iraklis BC 6-1, +103 Q
CSO Voluntari 6-1, +86 Q
Dinamo Zagreb 5-1, +23 Q
Dziki Warszawa 5-2, +99 Q
Manchester 5-2, +68 Q
Tindastoll 5-2, +64 Q
BK Opava 5-2, +42 Q
Donar Groningen 5-3, +46 Q
Valmiera 4-2, +4
Riga Zelli 4-3, -2
Sigal Prishtina 4-4, +13
Olomoucko 3-2, -18
Brussels Basketball 3-3, +25
Dubrava Zagreb 3-3, +17
TalTech Alexela 3-3, +4
Slovan Bratislava 3-4, -7
Bristol Flyers 3-4, -9
Spartak Pleven 3-4, -27
Alkar Sinj 1-5, -79
Hefte Helfen Bulls 1-6, -46
Fyllingen Lions 1-6, -132
Go+ Peja 1-5, -95 F
Gimle Basket 1-7, -123
Keila Coolbet 1-7, -105
Newcastle Eagles 0-5, -77
Playoffs picture as of January 16, 2026
2025-2026 ENBL format and pools
2025-2026 ENBL schedule UPD16
2025 ENBL classification
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