Sabonis, who joined the Portland Trail Blazers this year, used his 2.21 meters to net his impressive personal tally, defying all efforts by the Russians to confine him.
The towering pivot put Lithuania in control with 10 early points and the Olympic bronze medalists led by as much as 15 points at one stage in the first half which finished 44-33. The victory also meant that Lithuania qualified for next year's Olympic Games in Atlanta, along with the other three semifinalists to be decided later on Friday.
The long-range accuracy of Russian top scorer Sergei Babkov, who sunk 17 of his 25 points in the second half, brought Russia to within a point at 49-50 with 15 minutes remaining. But Lithuania restored their advantage to reach the last four comfortably.
Forward Arturas Karnisovas, who plays for French club Cholet, added 18 points, while Sabonis also dominated the boards taking 14 rebounds.
Playmaker Sergei Bazarevich contributed 19 points for the Russians.

Lithuanian coach Vladas Garastas said: "I told you that we would teach the Russians a lesson and we did. Lithuania accomplished its goal to advance to the semifinals and qualify for the Olympics. In Atlanta we will be stronger.
"We controlled Russia's fast breaks because we prepared well. It was like a war where you have to figure out everything in advance," he added.

Russian coach Sergei Belov described his team's failure to qualify for the Olympics as a tragedy.
"It was a life and death game and I was surprised that my players did not realise the tragedy of this defeat. It is a major blow for Russia to stay out of the Olympics despite the fact that Russian basketball is rising," he said.
Belov added that Russia, second in the world championship last year in Toronto, did not have enough time to prepare and lacked the influence of players like Sabonis and Seattle SuperSonics guard Sarunas Marciulionis for Lithuania.