By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Panathinaikos Athens used a 20 – 3 run over the fourth period to defeat Virtus Bologna 90 – 76 at home and close the double-game week in the EuroLeague with two wins.
Dinos Mitoglou scored 24 points and grabbed 10 rebounds while Mathias Lessort posted 10 points and nine rebounds, emerging as a key factor for Panathinaikos in the decisive fourth period.
The French big man’s defense and offensive plays helped the hosts turn a 62 – 67 deficit into an 82 – 70 advantage within less than five minutes, turning the tide in favor of his team.
Kostas Sloukas had 11 points and Kendrick Nunn scored 11 points in his top performance yet with the Greens’ jersey.
Marco Belinelli produced 20 points for Virtus Bologna before his ejection in the fourth period. He was scoreless in the last quarter. Tornike Shengelia had 17 points and 11 rebounds.
Win no200 for coach Ataman
Coach Ergin Ataman registered his 200th win in the game and he was happy not only with the result but how his team performed: “We played a good game, I liked how we played. I reached my 200th career win. The good thing is that I reached 200 wins with a good game like this, not like the one we played two days ago. It was one of the best games of the Euroleague season. I’m proud that my 200th win came like this with a very good game”.
Ataman added about Dinos Mitoglou and Panathinaikos’ fans: “So far he is the best forward for me in the Euroleague. Everyone played great. We hope to continue like this and win games at home. Tonight we had 18,000-19,000 people I hope we will have more in the future This was not an easy victory for us. The crowd energized us, they were amazing tonight.”
Behind a third win in a row, the Greens made it up to 5-4, in a tie of six teams stretching between fifth and tenth place on the EuroLeague standings. Resuming the continental campaign, they will host Valencia next Thursday.
The team coached by Luca Banchi was forced down to 6-3 with the loss in Athens. Back home for Round 10 of the Regular Season, Fenerbahce Beko visits Virtus Segafredo Arena next Thursday.