VENTSPILS (Basketball Champions League) - Ventspils got to the line early and often on Tuesday night and built a double-digit lead before holding on late for an 86-80 triumph over Banvit.

The team that started Group A play with two losses in as many games overcame a Banvit side that had begun 2-0, and it was their ability to get to the free-throw line that helped them more than anything with Ventspils making 32 of 38 attempts on the night.

In the process, the hosts neutralized Banvit's big guns Devin Oliver and Jordan Morgan, getting both in early foul trouble. The real menace for the hosts was Jonathan Arledge, who had 16 points, 6 rebounds and 4 swats.

Rihards Lomazs helped set the tone for a big Ventspils performance, hitting a couple of 3-balls and he finished with 16 points. Maris Gulbis was also tough on the visitors, ending up 14 points and 3 steals.

After going in front by 14 points midway through the third quarter, Ventspils saw Banvit chip away and cut the deficit to 80-77 with 1:49 to go following a 3-point play from Alex Perez.

After Lomazs was then called for an offensive foul, Banvit had their opportunity to draw even closer but Marcus Thornton took an early shot from deep and missed, and Ventspils rebounded.

Arledge then caught a pass from Aaron Johnson and made a layup to take the lead back to five points and to settle the nerves of the home side.

A 3-point play with 10 seconds remaining from Morgan gave Banvit hope but the visitors' Sehmus Hazer reached over the baseline and touched the ball while it was being held by Ventspils and was hit with a technical foul.

Lomazs made the free-throw for a four-point lead and Ventspils added a pair of Gulbis free-throws for a six-point win.