Augustine Rubit played a key role in the win
Lietkabelis secures surprise home win over Besiktas, 85-79



Lietkabelis Panevezys began its BKT EuroCup season on a high note, claiming a home win over Besiktas GAIN Istanbul 85-79 at Kalnapilio Arena. After missing out on the playoffs last year, the Lithuanian team made a strong statement to begin the new season.
Lietkabelis had multiple players step up as Augustine Rubit finished with 17 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists, Kristian Kullamae scored 17 points and also added 7 rebounds and 3 assists. Paulius Danusevicius chipped in 13 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Besiktas was led by Jonah Matthews with 15 points, while Devon Dotson added 14 points and Anthony Brown contributed 12 points.
Game Videos
The first quarter started with Dotson opening the scoring for Besiktas, converting a layup and drawing a foul. Lietkabelis answered with Kullamae’s basket, making it 3-2. Ante Zizic then converted a layup plus the and-one free throw to tie the game at 10-10, marking his first EuroCup points. Besiktas attempted multiple three-pointers throughout the period but struggled with accuracy. Meanwhile, Lietkabelis connected on 3-of-5 triples and capitalized inside the paint to pull ahead late in the quarter, leading 22-14. Top contributors for Lietkabelis in the opening period included Lazar Mutic, Kullamae, and Rubit. Besiktas managed to trim the deficit slightly, closing the quarter at 22-19.
In the second quarter, Besiktas took control by attacking the paint and building momentum. Ismael Kamagate asserted a physical presence inside, dominating the paint on both ends. The team’s defense also pressured Lietkabelis into 6 turnovers. Lietkabelis stayed in the game thanks to Lavrinovicius’s three-pointer. Besiktas leaned on Dotson, Matthews, and Brown to push the ball inside, taking an 8-point lead into halftime, 43-35.
The third quarter opened with Ante Zizic’s dunk for Besiktas, pushing the margin to double digits at 35-45. Lietkabelis responded with a 15-0 run, fueled by Rubit’s dominance in the paint, taking a 50-45 lead. Dotson’s three-pointer ended the run, and Matthews’ contributions helped Besiktas close the quarter slightly ahead, 57-55.
Lietkabelis carried the momentum into the fourth quarter with hot perimeter shooting, hitting three straight triples to take a 66-61 lead. Strong performances from Kullamae and Rubit in the paint made an impact on both ends of the floor. Danusevicius’s triple extended the lead to 75-68, and Lietkabelis pulled further away with back-to-back shots, holding off Besiktas to claim its first win of the season.