Zalgiris Kaunas remained unbeaten in the BBL easily beating one of its main contenders for the title Ventspils in Sporto Hale on Saturday. A tighter game was expected but Zalgiris wasn't going to take any nonsences after the last loss in the Euroleague.

Zalgiris won the first quarter 32-12 and it was already clear who is the winner of the game. After three quarters, the greens had a 36-point advantage. Then, however, coach Sireika allowed mostly his youngsters to play and the huge margin was wasted, as Ventspils won the last quarter 41 to 17. The final victory 100-88 of Zalgiris as expected.

The guy who shined bright in this game to denie all the recent criticts on his averaged performances was Tanoka Beard, who got 40 points in less than 30 minutes against Ventspils, as a matter of fact, reaching the new scoring record of the Baltic league. Beard made 13/18 field goals, including increadible 4/6 threes, also making 10/12 free-throws, grabbing 8 rebounds, getting fouled 8 times and blocking two shots. His unofficial efficiency rating is 48. Freeman added 18 with 6/7 three-pointers, while Darjus Lavrinovic contributed with 12 points, 6 rebounds and 5 asssits. Darlon Johnson was the topscorer on Ventspils side with 33 points. Ivars Timmermanis added 12 points and 8 rebounds.

In the press conference after the game Zalgiris vice-president Gediminas Navikauskas officially announced the contract Larry Elias Ayuso and the club is cut as both sides agreed. According to Navikauskas, Ayuso leaves Zalgiris mostly on his own wish, as he feels he couldn't adopt and show all of his potencial in Zalgiris. The way Ayuso was playing wasn't satisfying Zalgiris coaches and management either. During the last Euroleague game in Vitoria, Ayuso was allowed to play only 10 minutes.

ZALGIRIS (Kaunas) - VENTSPILS (Ventspils) 100 - 88
32-12, 19-19, 32-16, 17-41

8.1.2006