Siauliai opened its EuroCup Basketball campaign with a hard-fought 74-71 home win over London Lions on September 30, 2026. In a contest that featured multiple lead changes and several ties, the Lithuanian side made the bigger plays down the stretch to protect home court and secure a three-point victory.

Match Overview

Siauliai set the tone with an 18-16 first quarter, using early three-point shooting and second-chance points to build a small cushion. London responded in the second period by pushing the pace and attacking the rim, but the hosts still carried a 38-34 lead into halftime. The third quarter became a defensive struggle, with London trimming the deficit to 55-53. In the final period, Siauliai's half-court execution and free-throw shooting held off the Lions.

Key Moments

• Siauliai closed the first half on a 6-2 run, capped by a corner three, to take a four-point lead into the break.
• London opened the third quarter with a 7-0 surge to briefly take the lead, forcing Siauliai into an early timeout.
• With the score tied at 68-68 inside the final three minutes, Siauliai scored five straight points on a driving layup and a mid-range jumper.
• London had a chance to tie in the closing seconds, but a contested three-pointer rimmed out and Siauliai secured the rebound.

Tactical Story

Siauliai's defensive discipline was the difference. The hosts switched aggressively on ball screens, limited London's clean looks from beyond the arc, and forced the Lions into late-clock shots. Offensively, Siauliai leaned on patient ball movement, repeatedly finding open shooters in the corners. London's transition game kept them close, but their half-court offense stalled when Siauliai crowded the paint and forced kick-out passes.

Standout Players

Siauliai's backcourt controlled the tempo, combining for timely scoring and steady decision-making in the fourth quarter. Their leading scorer paced the attack with a mix of drives and perimeter shooting, while the frontcourt delivered crucial offensive rebounds. For London, the wing scorer kept the visitors in contention with tough shot-making, and the point guard created several open looks in transition. However, the Lions' top scorer was held to a quiet final five minutes as Siauliai's defense tightened.

EuroCup Implications

The 74-71 result gives Siauliai an important early win in EuroCup Basketball and valuable momentum at home. For London Lions, the narrow road loss is a frustrating one, but the performance showed enough resilience to suggest they will be competitive in the group. In a competition where point differential can matter, Siauliai will be pleased to have protected its home floor and kept the margin in its favor.