By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Restoring a double-digit advantage in the fourth quarter pushed Virtus Segafredo Bologna to a third win in a row in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague.
Defeating ALBA Berlin, 83-68, stretched the undefeated record to four meetings between the two sides over the last two seasons.
After dominating and creating a safe lead in the first half, the team guided by Luca Banchi allowed the Berlin outfit to reduce the deficit to single digits. Defense powered the fast start, also regaining a safe distance in the fourth period.
Connecting two three-pointers in Round 19 of the Regular Season, Bryant Dunston ended up with 12 points. “We knew, last time we played against them in Bologna, in the second half they scored many points. We knew they were capable of a run,” the 37-year-old center noted similarities with the reverse fixture, “The most important thing was to stay poised and keep focusing on our defense.”
Tornike Shengelia shared the team-high 12 points in Mercedes-Benz Arena. “We have to learn how to play seriously for 40 minutes. Sometimes, when we are up by many points, the game gets away from our head,” the Georgian forward confirmed the latest glimpses of complacency.
In his debut with the team based in Bologna, Rihards Lomazs put in two points. Except for Bruno Mascolo, the remaining 11 players made at least one bucket in Berlin. Banking a fifth straight win across all competitions, Vu Nere went up to 14-5 in the EuroLeague with a fifth win in nine away games.
“This is a double week. It is never easy,” said Banchi referring to the narrow home win versus FC Bayern Munich on Wednesday, “The way we played in the first 20 minutes proved that we are solid. But there are still some things that we have to adjust. Especially when we collected such advantages, to be more accurate.”
Not a good start for the German side 😬 pic.twitter.com/9XM6gOuuyO
— Eurohoops (@Eurohoopsnet) January 5, 2024
Johannes Thiemann packing 13 points produced a double-digit performance index rating in a 12th consecutive continental showing. Sterling Brown scored all of his 12 points in the second half, fueling a comeback bid that fell short. Matteo Spagnolo shared a game-high 13 points. The team coached by Israel Gonzalez fell to 3-16.
“We can not come to an EuroLeague game and play like this,” the Spanish tactician expressed his disappointment on the team performance.
Marcus Eriksson (foot), Ziga Samar (foot), Louis Olinde (illness), and Kresimir Nikic remained out for the hosts, and Gabriele Procida returned to action but was limited to six minutes. On the opposite end, Ognjen Dobric (ankle), Devontae Cacok (knee), and Jordan Mickey (thigh) stayed on the injury list.
On the road
The Italian club will stay on the road over the next week. After facing UnaHotels Reggio Emilia looking to jump to 11-4 in LBA UnipolSai on Sunday, the continental away games are against Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv in Belgrade on Wednesday and Anadolu Efes on Friday.
A three-game road trip for the Albatrosse, from Bamberg Baskets on Sunday to EA7 Emporio Armani Milan on Tuesday and LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne on Friday.
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net