Two more teams concluded their Lithuanian Basketball League (LKL) regular season, sponsored by Betsson.
Gargždai (15-17) emerged victorious in a true drama, defeating Rytas Vilnius (20-12) at home 103:98 (22:25, 25:30, 25:19, 31:24).
This marked the second time this season that the Vilnius team fell short in the Gargždai arena.
It had already been confirmed that Rytas would finish second in the LKL regular season and face Utena Juventus in the playoffs, while sixth-placed Gargždai still awaits their opponent, who will be either Šiauliai or Klaipėda Neptūnas.
Rytas traveled to Gargždai without Artūras Gudaitis, Jerrick Harding, and Jordan Caroline.
In a tightly contested start, Gargždai attempted to pull ahead, leading 14:10 after a Jalon Pipkins dunk. Gytis Masiulis and Simonas Lukošius reversed the score (15:14), and the hosts’ attempt to regain the lead was short-lived. After the first quarter, Rytas held a 25:22 advantage.
Ignas Urbonas efficiently capitalized on his opportunities (32:26), allowing the Vilnius team to maintain their lead, despite a response from Laurynas Vaištaras. Rytas then engineered an 8-0 run, establishing a double-digit lead for the first time in the game – 46:35. By halftime, the visitors maintained their lead at 55:47.
Immediately after the main break, the Gargždai team showed a strong reaction and began to close the gap. L. Vaištaras hit a crucial three-pointer and also made free throws, but Gytis Masiulis significantly complicated matters for the hosts – 69:62. Nevertheless, Gargždai continued to be propelled by three-pointers from L. Vaištaras and Nojus Mineikis, with Ethan Chargois tying the score at 70:70. Only an Augustas Marčiulionis two-pointer allowed Rytas to hold a fragile lead after three quarters – 74:72.
J. Pipkins put the hosts ahead (78:76), and Deividas Gailius answered I. Sargiūnas’ three-pointer with one of his own – 83:79. I. Sargiūnas scored from under the basket, but D. Gailius once again made his presence felt – 86:81.
Nearly midway through the fourth quarter, Kenneth Smith incurred a technical foul.
J. Turner pressured Rytas (90:81), scoring again, but I. Sargiūnas narrowed the deficit to 87:92. After J. Turner’s free throws, the hosts pulled away once more (96:87), but then K. Smith hit from long range and made free throws, bringing Rytas back within striking distance – 93:96. G. Masiulis equalized (96:96); however, K. Smith then committed an offensive foul.
With one minute remaining, A. Marčiulionis missed, Rytas secured the rebound, but M. Paliukėnas also missed. After J. Turner’s free throws, the Vilnius team still had a chance (101:98), but a turnover by Kay’us Bruhnke sealed their fate.
J. Pipkins was one point shy of breaking his season scoring record, finishing with 28 points.
Gargždai scorers: Jalon Pipkins 28, Justinas Turneris (6 assists) and Deividas Gailius – 18 each, Laurynas Vaištaras, Nojus Mineikis – 10 each.
Rytas scorers: Gytis Masiulis and Ignas Sargiūnas – 23 each, Kenneth Smith 14, Augustas Marčiulionis 12 (7 assists).