The Lithuanian Basketball League ("Betsafe-LKL") saw another showdown between EuroCup teams, with 7bet-Lietkabelis Panevėžys (8-8) securing a 97-82 (16:17, 31:24, 25:22, 25:19) victory over Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius (11-4) on the road.
This game was the first-ever missed by Gabrielius Maldūnas in his professional career due to a shoulder injury. Lietkabelis also played without Vytenis Lipkevičius and Danielius Lavrinovičius, while Dominykas Stenionis saw just a couple of minutes on the court, and Georgios Kalaitzakis played less than nine minutes.
With this loss, the Wolves' nine-game winning streak in the "Betsafe-LKL" came to an end. Their last league defeat was on October 19 against Uniclub Bet-Juventus.
Marek Blaževič gave the Wolves a solid start (11:7), but Oleksandr Kovliar quickly turned the game around (12:11). The hosts held a slim lead after the first quarter (17:16) but couldn’t maintain it.
A series of free throws helped Lietkabelis reclaim the advantage (27:22), while Martynas Varnas and the Ukrainian guard extended the gap to a game-high nine points (34:25). Wolves Twinsbet cut the deficit (37:42) but went into halftime trailing 41:47.
Notably, in the first half, Djordje Gagič played just four minutes before picking up three quick fouls, forcing him to sit out until after the break.
Despite Matas Jogėla's efforts to keep Wolves Twinsbet in the game (49:53), Lietkabelis responded with a strong run, extending their lead to 60:49. The gap continued to grow, with Martynas Varnas playing a key role in pushing it to 68:54.
Jogėla and Arnoldas Kulboka knocked down three-pointers to counter the visitors’ attacks, but it wasn’t enough for the hosts (63:72).
Matas Rubštavičius and Oleksandr Kovliar’s long-range shots brought Lietkabelis closer to victory (83:68), and after Djordje Gagič’s basket, Wolves' chances faded even further (88:72). The final minutes did not change the outcome.
Kovliar delivered his best performance in the Betsafe-LKL, finishing with 28 points, 6 assists, and a 28 efficiency rating.
On the other side, Matas Jogėla set season-highs with 26 points, 4 rebounds, and a 28 efficiency rating, but his standout effort wasn’t enough to turn the tide for Wolves Twinsbet.
The first Betsafe-LKL matchup between these teams ended with an 83-81 victory for Lietkabelis.
Wolves Twinsbet: Matas Jogėla 26, Marek Blaževič 15 (6 reb.), Tre’Shawn Thurman 8, Andrew Andrews, Kristupas Žemaitis, and Arnoldas Kulboka – 7 each, Anthony Cowan 5, Garrison Brooks 2. Regimantas Miniotas went scoreless, Vaidas Kariniauskas and Justinas Marcinkevičius did not play due to a coach’s decision.
7bet-Lietkabelis: Oleksandr Kovliar 28 (6/8 3PT), Martynas Varnas 19, Mantas Rubštavičius 17.
(Photo by Rokas Lukoševičius, LKL)