Ivan Vranes, Ajdin Penava and Šarūnas Beniušis took control in the paint to lead Uniclub Casino Juventus past Landstede Hammers, 84-56, and into the playoffs on Wednesday, January 10, at the Utenos arena in northeastern Lithuania.
Players of the game
Ivan Vranes was unstoppable in the paint.
Juventus center scored 19 points on 8/10 shooting from the field and 3/4 from the free throw line.
Vranes impact resulted in many fouls for the visiting team...in just 15 minutes of play.
Ajdin Penava added 10 points, hitting shots from every position.
Ryan Taylor had 11 points, including a 2/3 effort from the three point line.
Northwestern standout grabbed four rebounds, made two assists and blocked one shot.
Noah Dickerson answered with 12 points before he was fouled out.
Zwolle big man registered two steals.
Darius Quisenberry led the Landstede Hammers with 15 points on 6/10 shooting from the field and 3/4 from the charity stripe.
A former Fordham point guard forced five fouls.
Key stats
Uniclub Casino Juventus outscored Landstede Hammers in the paint, 42-30.
Zwolle team put up a fight but lost its key pieces in the second half.
Noah Dickerson and Terrence Bieshaar were fouled out – after playing 13:42 and 13:34 minutes respectively.
Juventus shot 62% from the field, connecting 30-of-48 field goal attempts.
The hosts turned the ball over 23 times but their shooting efficiency more than compensated for this.
Game notes
Uniclub Casino Juventus improved to 5-0, while the Landstede Hammers dropped to 1-3.
The Lithuanians advanced to the ENBL playoffs.
Oliver Kostič`s men have won eight consecutive games in the LKL and the ENBL.
The Landstede Hammers are 0-2 on the road in the ENBL.
ENBL access: follow the game on YouTube live stream
Format
Four best teams from each group will qualify for the playoffs (A1-B4, A2-B3, A3-B2, A4-B1).
The 2024 playoffs – home and away, best-of-two series – will take place from February 1 until March 20.
The 2024 Final Four will take place on April 9-10.
Standings, as of January 10, 2024 (CET 19:00)
Group A
Uniclub Casino Juventus 5-0 (+87) Qualified
Bakken Bears Aarhus 4-0 (+68)
Tartu Ülikool Maks&Moorits 4-1 (+57)
Bristol Flyers 3-3 (+39)
Polski Cukier Start Lublin 1-3 (-18)
Landstede Hammers Zwolle 1-3 (-44)
Spartak Pleven 1-4 (-50)
Svendborg Rabbits 0-5 (-139)
Group B
CSO Voluntari 4-1 (+53)
Royal Liège Basket 4-1 (+68)
Zastal Zielona Gora 3-1 (+21)
Šiauliai 3-1 (+11)
Seriös Group Newcastle Eagles 2-2 (+12)
Keila Coolbet 2-2 (-7)
Basket Brno 1-5 (-58)
Valmiera Glass ViA 0-6 (-100)
Tie-breaker 1: Zielona Gora vs Šiauliai 1-0, +26.
Tie-breaker 2: Šiauliai vs Newcastle 1-0, +2.
Tie-breaker 3: Šiauliai vs Voluntari 1-0, +8.
Tie-breaker 4: Liège vs Zielona Gora 1-0, +23.
Tie-breaker 5: Voluntari vs Liège 1-0, +21.