Šakiai Vytis-VDU (23-9) stopped one of the hottest teams in URBO-NKL. Erikas Kučiauskas’s six remaining players won a thriller on the road, 89-88 (30-12, 19-28, 27-27, 13-21) against Klaipėda Neptūnas-Akvaservis (17-14), which had recorded 10 consecutive victories.
The Šakiai team, which is in second place in the tournament table, is calm about its place in the first group.
However, Klaipėda, which suffered its first defeat in 2026, still has a chance to make it, but a difficult challenge awaits them.
In their last game of the second round, the port city’s basketball players will face Marijampolė’s Sūduva-Mantinga, which has won 17 games in a row. In another scenario, the blue and whites need to hope for a defeat for Telšiai in Jurbarkas.
Augustinas Mikštas and Paulius Velutis did not play in this match for Šakiai, while Kajus Leliukas and Gabrielius Mažeika reached their personal foul limits.
After receiving a cold shower at the start of this important battle, the Klaipėda team could do nothing against the relentless attack of Vyčio-VDU. The visitors sent their opponents to the canvas with a 21:3 run and gained a record lead of 33:12.
Neptūnas-Akvaservis responded with a more modest 9:0 run and cut the deficit to single digits (40:49) before the long break.
The Šakiai team continued to hold the reins of the match firmly in their hands, but in the decisive quarter they were left without their tall players and the port city team tried to save themselves.
With almost three minutes left on the clock, the visitors led 89:80. However, after Klaidas Metrikis scored 4 points in a row and Eimantas Žilius scored a two-pointer, the hosts reduced the deficit to one shot – 86:89.
As the final minute of the game began, both teams exchanged inaccurate long-range shots, but with less than 10 seconds remaining, the visitors deliberately fouled Kristupas Leščiauskas, who converted both free throws (88:89).
The port city team also broke the rules against Nojus Vaivada with 6 seconds left, and this risk paid off, as the defender standing at the free throw line missed both shots.
However, Ernesto Jonkaus’ long-range attempt in the decisive attack did not create a miracle.
Vaivada, who set a new personal efficiency record, scored 16 points (8/10 two-pointers, 0/2 free throws), 4 rebounds and 4 steals, 4 assists, 6 fouls drawn, 2 turnovers and 25 efficiency points in almost 32 minutes.
The 21-year-old guard’s career record prior to this match was 23 efficiency points.
Rokas Jocys was more productive, scoring 17 points (5/9 two-pointers, 2/4 three-pointers) in 30 minutes. He also stole 2 balls, made 4 assists, and collected 10 efficiency points.
Information from nklyga.lt
