Baskonia shows strength in Bologna and secures eighth place

The Vitorians will face the play-in better after winning 91-95 against Virtus

MADRID, 12 Abr. (EUROPA PRESS) –

Baskonia won this Friday by 91-95 on its visit to Virtus Bologna, with a prominent role from the American point guard Markus Howard, in a match corresponding to the 34th and final day of the Regular Phase of the Euroleague, which helped the Baskonistas to tie the eighth position definitively.

In Bolognese lands, Dusko Ivanovic’s pupils were looking for one more bullet for their chamber. Finishing eighth in this Regular Phase gives an opportunity for redemption if you fail in the first play-in match, while occupying tenth place means playing it without a safety net.

And with that in mind they took to the Segafredo Arena court, capable of neutralizing a five-point deficit (17-12) during the first quarter. Although the beginning of the second period showed more equality, going from 22-21 to 28-28 and later remaining at 38-38, the locals made a growth spurt (51-38) thanks to a choral performance in their attack.

Iffe Lundberg stood out above all, but also the veteran Marco Belinelli and Achille Polonara took center stage in front of the basket. Then Chima Moneke appeared in the Vitorian team, to cut Virtus’ streak and to reduce the gap at halftime (53-44).

Upon returning from the locker room, Ivanovic’s team reacted with the help of Markus Howard, of course, along with the inspiration of Codi Miller-McIntyre. Tadas Sedekerskis could not be missing either to forge the comeback, which was sealed on the scoreboard at 67-69, after a partial that continued to grow.

Between assists, key three-pointers and several 2+1s, the New Jersey point guard became the offensive beacon of a Baskonia team that led 67-73. A triple by Lundberg closed the third period and spurred the Italian team, which in the next quarter survived the rival attacks.

Luca Banchi’s pupils neutralized a dangerous 83-90, but at 90-90 they conceded a tap from Matt Costello that did damage. In the next action, Jordan Mickey was fouled by Costello himself in a ‘sandwich’ with Moneke’s attempted block.

There were just 17.3 left until the end and Mickey only made the second free throw. At the restart after a timeout, he himself fouled Costello and the timer stayed at 16.6; The Baskonista interior did score both free throws (91-94) and, right after, Belinelli lost the ball that could have been worth the miracle.

It was captured by Moneke, who blocked the foul and scored the second free throw he had. Thus, Ivanovic’s men closed a triumph of strength and which was worth staying in eighth position, according to a balance of 18-16. The next opponent, and away from home, will now be Maccabi Tel Aviv, who finished their Regular Phase in seventh place (20-14).

DATASHEET.

–RESULT: VIRTUS BOLONIA, 91 – BASKONIA, 95 (53-44, at halftime).

–EQUIPMENT:

VIRTUS BOLOGNA: Hackett (11), Cordinier (-), Belinelli (15), Shengelia (8) and Dunston (4) –starting quintet–; Mickey (10), Lundberg (18), Pajola (3), Dobric (3), Polonara (8), Zizic (4) and Abass (7).

BASCONY: Miller-McIntyre (16), Marinkovic (17), Moneke (12), Raieste (-) and Kotsar (4) — starting quintet–; Howard (34), Rogkavopoulos (-), Costello (6), Chiozza (2), Sedekerskis (4) and Theodore (-).

–PARTIALS: 22-21, 31-23, 21-31 and 17-20.

–REFEREES: Belosevic, Pukl and Balak. Pajola was eliminated due to personal fouls in the Virtus Bologna.

–PABELLÓN: Segafredo Arena, 9,267 spectators.

2024-04-12 20:37:16
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