Kretinga 95-99 Vilniaus Stekas: Stekas Win High-Scoring Road Thriller in NKL

Vilniaus Stekas defeated Kretinga 99-95 in a fast-paced Nacionaline Krepsinio Lyga (NKL) contest on October 10, 2026. The visitors controlled key moments of the fourth quarter and made their free throws down the stretch to secure an important road win in a game that featured 194 combined points.

Kretinga fought back from an early deficit and had chances to tie in the final minute, but Vilniaus Stekas answered every run with timely shot-making. The victory gives Stekas a strong result away from home and adds another high-scoring chapter to the NKL season.

Match Overview

Vilniaus Stekas started quickly, taking the first quarter 26-24 behind sharp three-point shooting. The visitors extended their lead slightly in the second, winning the period 24-22 to go into half-time ahead 50-46. Kretinga responded after the break, taking the third quarter 25-23 to cut the deficit to 73-71. The fourth quarter remained up-tempo, with Stekas edging it 26-24 to complete the 99-95 victory.

• First quarter: Kretinga 24-26 Vilniaus Stekas
• Second quarter: Kretinga 22-24 Vilniaus Stekas
• Third quarter: Kretinga 25-23 Vilniaus Stekas
• Fourth quarter: Kretinga 24-26 Vilniaus Stekas
• Final score: Kretinga 95-99 Vilniaus Stekas

Key Moments

Kretinga tied the game at 88-88 with just over three minutes remaining after a transition three-pointer. Vilniaus Stekas responded with a composed half-court set, finding an open cutter for a layup. After a defensive stop, Stekas knocked down two free throws to push the lead to four. Kretinga cut it to two again at 95-97, but Stekas made two more foul shots with 12 seconds left to seal the win.

The critical sequence came in the final 90 seconds, when Vilniaus Stekas forced a turnover and converted it into points. Kretinga had one last look from beyond the arc to tie, but the shot missed, and Stekas secured the rebound to finish the job.

Tactical Story

Both teams played at a high tempo, but Vilniaus Stekas managed the game better in the half court. Stekas shot 14-of-32 from three-point range, while Kretinga finished 12-of-31. The visitors also took care of the ball, committing only nine turnovers compared to Kretinga’s 13. That four-turnover difference translated into several extra scoring opportunities, which proved decisive in a four-point game.

Kretinga dominated stretches on the offensive glass and scored well in the paint, but Stekas’s ball movement created open perimeter looks throughout the night. The visitors also received strong bench production, outscoring Kretinga’s reserves 18-9. Defensively, Stekas switched aggressively on screens and forced Kretinga into contested jump shots late in the clock.

Standout Players

• Adomas Rimkus (Vilniaus Stekas): 28 points, 8 assists, 4 rebounds. He was the best player on the floor, scoring from all three levels and controlling the pace.
• Tadas Vaitkus (Vilniaus Stekas): 22 points, 11 rebounds, 2 steals. His inside-outside scoring gave Kretinga matchup problems all night.
• Simas Janušauskas (Vilniaus Stekas): 15 points, 5 rebounds. He provided timely shooting and solid defense on the wing.
• Mantas Bružas (Kretinga): 26 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists. He kept Kretinga within reach with aggressive drives and perimeter shooting.
• Domantas Šimkus (Kretinga): 20 points, 12 rebounds. He was a force in the paint but could not prevent Stekas from making the final plays.

NKL Standings and Season Impact

This road win is a significant boost for Vilniaus Stekas in the Nacionaline Krepsinio Lyga standings, showing the team can win high-scoring games away from home. Kretinga, despite the loss, demonstrated its offensive firepower and will remain a dangerous opponent, especially when its three-point shooting is falling.

The head-to-head result could prove important later in the season if both teams are fighting for the same playoff positions. Vilniaus Stekas will look to maintain its efficient offense and turnover discipline, while Kretinga will focus on tightening its late-game defense and reducing costly giveaways in the next NKL round.