The BioSil-WBBL Division B Final Four in Daugavpils concluded with a dramatic championship game that saw Panevezys overcome Aistes-LSMU Kaunas 88-78 (20-19, 10-19, 20-14, 26-24, 12-2) in overtime.
Panevėžys established an early foothold in the game, dominating the opening minutes and surging to an 11-2 lead.
However, Aistes-LSMU quickly countered, recovering from the initial deficit. In the second quarter, Kaunas team surged, establishing a commanding lead of their own (38-24) after a three-pointer from Eva Pernavaite.
Now it was Panevezys's turn to respond, and they did so effectively. They consistently chipped away at the lead throughout the latter part of the second quarter and the entire third, ultimately narrowing the gap to a single possession. After three quarters, Aistes-LSMU held a slim 52-50 advantage.
The fourth quarter intensified the drama. Panevezys received a boost as two key Aistes-LSMU players, Gedvile Savostaite and Eva Pernavaite, fouled out. With under two minutes remaining, Kriste Timofejeva's layup reduced the margin to just one point (73-72). In a stunning turn of events, Aiste Jureviciute answered with her seventh three-pointer of the game (and her fourth consecutive), restoring a more comfortable lead for Aistes-LSMU.
But the game was far from over. With 20 seconds on the clock, Panevezys's Gintare Mazionyte connected on a crucial three-pointer while being fouled. She missed the subsequent free throw, but Timofejeva grabbed the offensive rebound and sank a free throw of her own, tying the score at 76-76.
Aistes-LSMU had the final possession of regulation, but committed a turnover before even inbounding the ball, handing Panevezys one last opportunity. However, Timofejeva was unable to create a clean look in the closing seconds, forcing overtime.
In the extra period, Aistes-LSMU struggled offensively, managing only 2 points. Panevezys seized the moment, unleashing a decisive 12-point run to clinch the championship with an 88-78 victory.
Gabrielė Sulske led Panevezys with 20 points, while Urtė Bukauskaite contributed 17 points and 11 rebounds. Timofejeva delivered a strong performance, recording 16 points, 17 rebounds, and 7 assists (41 efficiency rating).
For Aistes-LSMU, Jureviciute scored 22 points, Pernavaite added 19, and Guste Dziatkauskaite dished out 8 assists to go along with her 12 points.
This victory marked Panevezys's first triumph against Aistes-LSMU this season, following three previous defeats. Conversely, it represented Aistes-LSMU's first loss in the BioSil-WBBL campaign. Prior to the final, Aistes-LSMU had maintained a perfect 12-0 record in the regular season and defeated Daugavpils University 67-59 in the semifinal.
