Devon Hall delivered a game-winning buzzer-beater to lift Olimpia Milano to an 87-85 victory over Virtus Bologna. The encounter swung back and forth through a fierce second half before Hall capped a 10-point fourth-quarter flurry with a decisive mid-range jumper over Aliou Diarra with four seconds remaining.
Early Scoring and First-Quarter Momentum
Olimpia Milano faced immediate adversity when Alec Peters picked up his second foul just four minutes into the contest. Virtus Bologna opened with a sizable lineup featuring Alston at 3 before shifting to a smaller look with Moore alongside two playmakers. Darius Thompson shifted the momentum for Milano, sparking a burst that included an aggressive drive to the rim, two three-pointers for eight quick points, and a steal that led to a solitary slam dunk by Jason Burnell. Milano finished the opening period to build a 30-20 lead.
Second-Quarter Shifts and Bologna’s Zone Defense
The second period featured starkly contrasting halves. Milano’s second unit maintained early pressure, fueled by Burnell’s interior activity and seven points from RJ Cole. That energy stretched the margin to 15 points at 41-26 as Milano controlled the glass and pushed the tempo. Virtus Bologna responded by shifting into a zone defense, slowing the pace and dismantling Milano’s defensive intensity. The visiting side converted long-range perimeter shots and driving layups to narrow the gap before halftime, leaving Milano ahead 47-41.
Third-Quarter Lead Changes
Marko Guduric opened the second half with a three-pointer and a steal that translated into a fast-break layup for Darius Thompson, restoring a nine-point advantage for Milano. Foul trouble surfaced again when Hall picked up his third personal foul. Garrison Mathews, making his EuroLeague debut with high competitive energy, hit his second triple to keep Bologna at bay. Following a timeout called by Coach Poeta, Milano converted four consecutive offensive possessions, but Bologna answered with two three-pointers and a three-point play to claim a 67-66 edge heading into the fourth quarter.
Fourth-Quarter Drama and the Final Shot
Defensive stops and a pair of baskets from RJ Cole quickly handed the momentum back to Milano in the final frame. A three-pointer by Bolmaro pushed the lead to four points, setting off a frantic exchange of baskets. After Milano missed three consecutive open attempts from beyond the arc, Hall and teammate Klintman traded crucial perimeter shots to set up a tense, tied ballgame in the final minute. With four seconds remaining and the score deadlocked, Coach Poeta advanced the ball via timeout, trusting his hottest player to execute the final play.
Player Performances and Key Statistics
Devon Hall finished the night with 10 points in the fourth quarter alone, having scored only two free throws prior to the final stanza. Milano placed five players in double figures, including Cole. Fellow newcomer Jason Burnell anchored the boards by grabbing 10 rebounds, while Thompson and Guduric provided critical scoring spells throughout the evening.
Upcoming Schedule
Olimpia Milano returns to action on Friday, October 2, visiting the Fernando Buesa Arena to face Baskonia. The club’s next domestic league fixture is scheduled for Monday, October 5, at 20:45 in Verona.
