A crucial victory in the Lithuanian Basketball League (Betsafe-LKL) was achieved by Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius (18-15), who are aiming for third place, as they defeated Neptūnas Klaipėda (11-22) at home with a score of 96:84 (25:21, 27:21, 26:21, 18:21).

The Vilnius team is close behind CBet Jonava (19-13), but they are also closely followed by fifth-place 7bet-Lietkabelis Panevėžys (17-16).

Wolves Twinsbet still has matches remaining in the regular season against Žalgiris Kaunas, CBet, and M Basket Delamode Mažeikiai, while Klaipėda will face CBet, M Basket Delamode, and Uniclub Bet-Juventus Utena.

The Klaipėda team is still uncertain about its place in the playoffs, as they are currently in eighth place, tied in wins with Nevėžis-Optibet Kėdainiai (11-22).

At the beginning of the game, the hosts tried to pull away (15:10), but the score quickly leveled (15:15). However, the Vilnius team regained the lead rapidly, 25:21. Kristupas Žemaitis extended the lead, even as Žygimantas Janavičius and Zane Waterman responded with accurate shots, making it 29:30. Long-range shots allowed Wolves Twinsbet to maintain control (48:38), and by halftime, the lead remained in double digits at 52:42.

After the break, Marek Blaževič tried to lay the foundation for victory (57:42), but Neptūnas refused to give up. The deficit gradually shrank, and after a shot from Zane Waterman, it was reduced to a single-digit margin (55:64). However, it was difficult for them to get any closer.

The entire quarter was still ahead. Neptūnas stayed within reach (71:80) until Tre'Shawn Thurman and Andrew Andrews hit three-pointers – 86:71. The visitors tried to rally again – Mindaugas Girdžiūnas and Myles Hesson's attacks cut the deficit to just eight points (80:88), but they couldn't close the gap. Blaževič and Andrews then made accurate shots (93:80), after which the intrigue was gone for good.

Wolves Twinsbet: Andrew Andrews 23 (5/8 3PM), Marek Blaževič 18 (8 rebounds), Jeffery Taylor 11, Tre‘Shawn Thurman and Arnoldas Kulboka – 10 each, Garrison Brooks and Anthony Cowan (10 assists) – 8 each, Kristupas Žemaitis 5, Matas Jogėla 3. Regimantas Miniotas didn’t score, Daniel Baslyk and Justinas Marcinkevičius did not play due to the coach’s decision.

Neptūnas: Desure Buie 15, Myles Hesson 12, Nate Johnson (3/8 3PM, 5 rebounds) and Zane Waterman – 11 each.

(Photo by Saulius Čirba)