Gargždai Edges Lietkabelis in LKL Thriller
Gargždai defeated Panevėžio Lietkabelis 83–80 in a Betsson-LKL matchup held in Gargždai. The home team built an early lead and fended off a late-game push to secure the three-point victory.
The home side opened the game with a defensive stance that stalled Lietkabelis early on, surging ahead 12–1 following a three-pointer from Evaldas Šaulys. Foreign reinforcements helped the visitors cut the deficit, but Gargždai maintained a 27–14 advantage by the end of the opening quarter. Keondre Kennedy, Gabrielius and Marius Valinskas chipped away at the margin for Lietkabelis as the game progressed. A brief injury scare involving Gargždai’s Langston Wilson saw him exit briefly before returning to the floor. Lietkabelis continued to close the gap, pulling within 37–39 before halftime.
Gargždai Reclaim Lead in Physical Fourth Quarter
Miloš Ilić tied the game in the third quarter, and Ognjen Jaramaz gave Lietkabelis its first lead at 45–44. Gargždai responded with a 6–0 run to reclaim the advantage, though Kennedy’s steady play gave the visitors a 59–55 edge heading into the final period.
The fourth quarter featured lead changes and physical play, during which Gabrielius Maldūnas sustained a cut to the head. Jaquanas Carlos tied the score at 65–65, and subsequent baskets from A. Mikalauskas and Šaulys pushed Gargždai ahead 72–67. Lietkabelis narrowed the margin down the stretch through late scoring from Nojus Radžius, but time ran out on the comeback attempt as an intentional foul sent Ivan Fevrier to the line for a final point that left the score at 83–80.
Standout Individual Performances
Kennedy led all scorers for Lietkabelis with 24 points, shooting a perfect 10-for-10 from the field while adding six rebounds, four assists, and a 37 efficiency rating.
For Gargždai, Carlos directed the offense with 20 points and 11 assists alongside 8-of-11 shooting on two-pointers, while Benjamin Krikke contributed 18 points and eight rebounds. Stanley Davis added 14 points, and Evaldas Šaulys finished with 11 points, including three three-pointers.
Lithuanian Basketball League Context
The victory adds to a strong start for Gargždai, which holds a 5–2 record and has now defeated all three Lithuanian clubs competing in the EuroCup—Lietkabelis, Neptūnas Klaipėda, and Šiauliai—alongside FIBA Champions League titleholder Rytas Vilnius. Lietkabelis drops to 3–4 following the tightly contested road loss.
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