Panevėžys’ 7bet-Lietkabelis achieved a dramatic victory in the Lithuanian Basketball League (Betsafe-LKL) semifinals, defeating Rytas Vilnius 76:73 (23:12, 18:21, 16:21, 19:19) at home.
This result evens the best-of-three series at 1-1.
The first game in Vilnius ended with a Rytas win, 86:82. The third matchup will take place on Wednesday, June 4.
Just before the game, it was confirmed that 7bet-Lietkabelis, already without Vytenis Lipkevičius and Daniel Lavrinovičius, would also miss Martynas Varnas due to a stress fracture in his foot.
The home team quickly resisted Rytas’ attempts to take the lead. Džordže Gagičius pushed 7bet-Lietkabelis forward with his scoring, and Dovis Bičkauskis added two more points – 10:4. Even with Gabrielius Maldūnas sitting out due to two personal fouls, Panevėžys maintained control (16:8), eventually extending their advantage. Oleksandras Kovliaras hit a three-pointer (21:10), and the first quarter ended with the hosts ahead 23:12.
Despite efforts from Gytis Radzevičius and Ąžuolas Tubelis to help Rytas, Nenad Čanak’s team responded, restoring a double-digit lead after a Mantas Rubštavičius basket – 34:22. Rytas then went on a 9-0 run to close the gap (31:34), but Dovis Bičkauskis hit a long-range shot, and Paulius Danusevičius added two more points – 39:31. By halftime, 7bet-Lietkabelis held a solid lead, 41:33.
G. Radzevičius reduced the deficit (38:43), but Rytas could not get closer. Džiugas Slavinskas helped 7bet-Lietkabelis regain a double-digit lead midway through the third quarter – 52:40. R.J. Cole and Savionas Flagg scored key points for Rytas, Vilnius (47:55), and with one minute left in the quarter, the teams were separated by six points – 51:57. R.J. Cole’s next basket brought Rytas fully back into the game (54:57).
Despite Rytas trying to seize the initiative, the lead remained with Panevėžys – 61:55. S. Flagg scored crucial points (57:61), G. Masiulis added a three-pointer (60:61), but G. Žibėnas received a technical foul. After that, M. Normantas scored a decisive basket to tie (62:62) and, with four minutes remaining, put Rytas ahead – 67:66, the first lead since the opening minutes.
The tie continued with just a few minutes left – 71:71. P. Danusevičius hit a three-pointer, while G. Radzevičius missed. M. Normantas then cut the lead to one point (73:74), prompting another timeout. With 72 seconds remaining, O. Kovliaras missed, Rytas had possession but failed to score. With half a minute left, O. Kovliar drew a foul and made both free throws, leaving Rytas less than five seconds to respond. The visitors turned the ball over, sealing the game.
7bet-Lietkabelis: Mantas Rubštavičius 19, Dovis Bičkauskis 14 (4 rebounds, 4 assists), Oleksandras Kovliaras 14, Djordje Gagic 13, Paulius Danusevičius 13.
Rytas Vilnius: Gytis Radzevičius 21, Margiris Normantas 17, R.J. Cole 9, Gytis Masiulis 5, Savionas Flagg 5, Ąžuolas Tubelis 5 (8 rebounds).