Anwil Włocławek trailed for most of the first half but engineered several runs after initial ruse to beat the host Valmiera Glass/Vidzemes augstskola 86-69 on Tuesday, October 19 at Vidzeme Olympic Center in Valmiera.
Players of the game
Kyndall Dykes showed a masterclass in shooting. New Orleans graduate scored 21 points on 9-of-13 shooting from the field (69%).
Dykes became the first ENBL player to score 20 or more points on opening day, including 12 points in the second half. He added three rebounds, three assists and one steal for the Rottweilers.
Jonah Mathews was omnipresent. University of Southern California standout made 3-of-4 three point shots enroute to 19 points.
San Francisco born, all Pacific-12 second team member stole the ball five times to initiate numerous fastbreaks. Mathews also had a game high seven assists and six rebounds in a first ever 19+5+5+5 ENBL performance.
Kavell Bigby-Williams contributed with fine 12 points and nine rebounds. British center also had one blocked shot.
Luke Petrasek offered some New York City flavor. Columbia graduate chipped in with 11 points and five assists.
James Bell rounded up the double digit fiesta, finishing with 10 points.
Viktors Iļjins replied with 19 points. Tour Eiffel of Vidzeme connected 8-of-9 field goal attempts, grabbed six rebounds and stole the ball twice.
Edgars Kaufmanis hit two early three point balls to finish the game with 13 points – eight points more than his iconic brother Jānis.
Key stats
Valmiera had 19 three point attempts in the first half but not a single free throw.
Edmunds Valeiko team led by seven points early in the second quarter and was a constant threat from the three point line but struggled in the paint.
Anwil outscored Valmiera in the paint 38-26 and finished the first half with a 17-2 run. Mathews hit two three pointers, while Dykes scored from the deep and went up for a slam dunk 41-33.
Valmiera tied the game at 50 with 12:43 left. Anwil finished the third quarter with a 9-3 run, including a buzzer-beater three by Dykes, to regain a six point lead 59-53.
The Energa Basket Liga leaders finished strong and extended their lead up to 17 points 86-69.
Game notes
Valmiera Glass/Vidzemes augstskola played the first official international game outside Pafbet Estonia and Latvia league.
Anwil brought a star powered lineup and didn`t disappointed their many fans at home.
Polish team tops the standings after the first day of play, followed by its next opponent – Tartu Ulikool Maks&Moorits.
Kyndall Dykes and Viktors Iļjins were the co-MVPs of the game.
Tweet of the game
Photos: Renārs Koris
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