VILNIUS — Lietuvos Rytas have fallen short in what ultimately became their last Euroleague game of the season, falling 71-73 to Spanish side Unicaja.

It was a crawl end for the Lithuanians, who are the only team to record four wins in the competition and not make it through to the second round. Following the losses they still had a chance of advancing if the lowly Entente Orléanaise could pull off an upset over Efes Pilsen. However it was a big ask and ultimately one that the French could not pull of. The victory saw Efes Pilsen move through to the next round ahead of Lietuvos Rytas on account of having a better home and away record over the Lithuanians.

In yet another ironic twist, Lietuvos Rytas played some of their finest basketball this season, knowing that anything less would not do against the powerful Spanish.

The game ebbed and flowed with Unicaja on more than one occasion looking like they would pull away, only for Lietuvos Rytas to claw their way back into contention.

Down by eight going into the final period Leituvos Rytas came out strong with everything to play for. However their efforts were desperately in vain as they came up agonizingly short. Vidas Ginevičius had the ball to make the final play of the game but was unable to get the shot of in time, leaving an crowd in stunned silence.

In what could also be considered a crawl twist of fate, fellow countrymen Žalgiris have slipped into the second round with just three victories. In recent games when the two sides have met, Lietuvos Rytas have completely dominated proceedings.