Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius fell short of reaching the Citadele King Mindaugas Cup (Citadele KMT) final, missing the chance to compete for the first trophy in the club's history.
In the semifinals, the capital’s team had to acknowledge the superiority of Neptūnas Klaipėda, falling 83:87 (24:27, 20:16, 14:22, 25:22). On Sunday, they will fight for third place in the tournament’s bronze medal game.
The game started as a tight battle. Every time Desure Buie put Neptūnas ahead, Marek Blaževič had an answer. Wolves Twinsbet’s imports kept the game level (22:22), though Deividas Gailius briefly restored Neptūnas’ lead with a three-pointer (27:22).
The gap grew to 31:24, but after baskets from Matas Jogėla, Anthony Cowan, and M. Blaževič, the score was tied again at 41:41. Emotions flared as Tre’Shawn Thurman and Zane Waterman received technical fouls, with the latter picking up his fourth personal. By halftime, Wolves Twinsbet had edged ahead 44:43.
The Neptūnas team began to take control. The gap started to widen (56:51). Jeffery Taylor's three-pointer was answered by the opponents, who went on a 7-0 run, extending their lead to a record 63:54. Although the gap shrank by the end of the third quarter, Neptūnas still led 65:58.
As the margin began to melt away (67:70), Blaževič received a technical foul for flopping, which meant his game was over. With 7 minutes left, free throws brought the Wolves Twinsbet closer (71:76), while Pacevičius also fouled out due to the limit.
A crucial three-pointer from Beručka made it 79:73. Still, Cowan responded with a three-point play 76:79. With 3 minutes remaining, Nate Johnson added an important two-pointer (81:76). Cowan responded with a three-pointer 79:81. Hesson immediately answered with a bucket (84:79). Time ran out in favor of the Klaipėda team. The Wolves’ hopes were fading, and Neptūnas held on to their victory.
Thurman added free throws (81:84), but with just 25 seconds remaining, the ball was in Neptūnas's hands. The Wolves had to foul, and Hesson collected easy points (86:81). Cowan quickly answered with a layup—83:86. Neptūnas was again sent to the free-throw line, and Johnson capitalized on the opportunity once. However, Wolves Twinsbet couldn’t capitalize on their final possession.
In the final, teams will compete for a €40,000 prize. The second-place winners will receive €25,000, the third-place finishers €15,000, and the fourth-place team €10,000.
Wolves Twinsbet: Anthony Cowan 21 (8 assists), Tre'Shawn Thurman 20 (9 rebounds), Andrew Andrews 11, Marek Blaževič 10, Matas Jogėla 8, Jeffery Taylor 7, Kristupas Žemaitis 5, Garrison Brooks 1. Regimantas Miniotas and Arnoldas Kulboka did not score, and Justinas Marcinkevičius did not play due to the coach’s decision.
Neptūnas: Desure Buie 22 (6 rebounds, 7 assists), Myles Hesson 19, Nate Johnson 16.
(Photo: Rokas Lukoševičius / LKL)