In one Betsafe-LKL semifinal series, the outcome was decided quickly, but in the other, the suspense extended to the decisive game.
Panevėžys 7bet-Lietkabelis defeated Vilnius Rytas at home 87:76 (23:20, 20:18, 20:15, 24:23), leveling the best-of-three series 2-2. The winner will face Kaunas Žalgiris in the finals. The fifth and final game of the series will take place in Vilnius on Sunday at 16:30.
Rytas started the game strongly, leading 6:1, but the momentum soon shifted in favor of the hosts. Džiugas Slavinskas hit a long-range shot, and Mantas Rubštavičius added free throws to tie the score at 6:6. Rytas’ attempts to pull ahead were repeatedly countered, and after the first quarter, 7bet-Lietkabelis led 23:20.
Džordže Gagičius further extended his team’s lead, pushing the margin to double digits as Rytas’ offense struggled. The Vilnius roster was also weakened after Savion Flagg injured his hand. Thanks to Ąžuolas Tubelis and Margiris Normantas, Rytas reduced the deficit to 38:43 by halftime.
In the second half, Martynas Paliukėnas, Gytis Radzevičius, and Artūras Gudaitis brought Rytas closer at 44:45. The game was eventually tied at 50:50, but the visitors could not seize control. While Gytis Masiulis made one free throw, Dž. Gagičius responded with a two-pointer and a foul, giving 7bet-Lietkabelis a 57:53 lead. The quarter ended with the hosts holding a double-digit advantage at 63:53.
Mantas Rubštavičius and G. Maldūnas solidified the home team’s lead (73:59), while Rytas’ offense struggled and free-throw accuracy remained a problem. 7bet-Lietkabelis took advantage, extending the lead to 75:60. Rytas’ efforts to score through free throws reduced the gap slightly to 65:79, but the game was already decided. Attempts by O. Kovliaras (81:65) were countered with two three-pointers by the visitors, leaving two minutes remaining, which did not change the outcome.
7bet-Lietkabelis: Džordže Gagičius 16 (7 rebounds), Oleksandras Kovliaras 16, Mantas Rubštavičius 15, Dovis Bičkauskis 12, Džiugas Slavinskas 12
Rytas: R.J. Cole 12 (6 rebounds), Artūras Gudaitis 10 (5 rebounds), Gytis Radzevičius 9 (1/7 three-pointers), Margiris Normantas 8, Ignas Sargiūnas 8