Rigas Zelli earned a valuable road win on September 26, 2026, defeating Tal Tech 79-73 in the Estonia and Latvia Basketball League at TalTech Sports Hall in Tallinn. The victory ends a two-game losing streak for the Latvian club and drops Tal Tech below .500.

Match Overview

Rigas Zelli controlled the tempo from the second quarter onward, using a decisive run to build a double-digit lead. Tal Tech made a spirited comeback in the third quarter, but Rigas Zelli's execution in the fourth quarter proved too much to overcome.

• First Quarter: Tal Tech 20, Rigas Zelli 18
• Second Quarter: Tal Tech 15, Rigas Zelli 22
• Third Quarter: Tal Tech 19, Rigas Zelli 18
• Fourth Quarter: Tal Tech 19, Rigas Zelli 21
• Final: Tal Tech 73, Rigas Zelli 79

Key Moments

The game's decisive stretch came in the second quarter when Rigas Zelli unleashed a 12-2 run over a four-minute span, turning a 22-21 deficit into a 34-24 lead. Artis Ate hit two three-pointers during the run, and Klāvs Čavars dominated the offensive glass. Tal Tech clawed back in the third quarter, cutting the lead to 54-58 on an Oliver Metsalu three-pointer, but Rigas Zelli responded with a 7-0 run of their own to start the fourth quarter.

With 1:20 left and Rigas Zelli leading 74-70, Ate drilled a step-back three-pointer to seal the victory. Tal Tech missed their final three attempts from beyond the arc.

Tactical Story

Rigas Zelli's 2-3 zone defense baffled Tal Tech for long stretches. The Estonian side struggled to penetrate the zone and settled for contested jumpers, finishing the game shooting just 39% from the field. Rigas Zelli also dominated the boards, out-rebounding Tal Tech 42-34, including 14 offensive rebounds that led to 17 second-chance points. Offensively, Rigas Zelli moved the ball beautifully, recording 22 assists on 29 made field goals.

Standout Players

• Artis Ate (Rigas Zelli): 19 points, 7 assists, 4 rebounds. The engine of the offense.
• Klāvs Čavars (Rigas Zelli): 16 points, 10 rebounds, 3 blocks. A double-double anchor in the paint.
• Oliver Metsalu (Tal Tech): 18 points, 6 rebounds. Tried to keep Tal Tech alive.
• Indrek Kajupank (Tal Tech): 14 points, 5 assists. Struggled with his shot but contributed elsewhere.

Season Impact

Rigas Zelli improves to 3-2 and climbs into the upper half of the Estonia and Latvia Basketball League standings. Tal Tech falls to 2-3 and faces a tough stretch ahead. The loss is particularly painful as it comes at home, where Tal Tech had previously been strong. Rigas Zelli's win avenges a narrow loss to Tal Tech earlier in the season.