By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Injuries might be piling up, but Kevin Pangos is back after spending over three months on the sidelines with a right knee issue.
EA7 Emporio Armani Milan also enjoyed a win, 89-80, against Givova Scafati Sunday.
Pangos, 30, recorded two points, five assists, and two rebounds lasting 14 minutes. Tommaso Baldasso also returned to action but did not score in 11 minutes. In contrast, Shabazz Napier exited with a right ankle injury in the second quarter.
Ettore Messina’s side did not trail after the first quarter but did not hold on to more extended leads built through the LBA Regular Season Round 20. Conceding 29 points in the fourth quarter reduced the advantage to nine points but no further.
Jumping to 16-4 in the Italian league, Billy Baron paved the way with a game-high 20 points. Paul Biligha (knee), Devon Hall (knee), Shavon Shields (foot), and Luigi Datome (ankle) all remained on the sidelines. Brandon Davies, Naz Mitrou-Long, and Kyle Hines sat out as well.
Belinelli scores 32 points and Shengelia saves the day
Digging its way out of an early double-digit hole was not enough for Virtus Segafredo Bologna but eventually secured the win, 91-90, over Bertram Yachts Derthona Tortona.
Logging a new personal best for the 2022-23 season, Belinelli, an NBA champion in 2014, dropped 32 points behind 9/16 three-pointers. Semi Ojeleye threw in 15 points, six rebounds, and two steals.
Making the difference in the dying seconds, Tornike Shengelia sank the game-winning free throw and missed the second attempt to limit options for Marco Ramondino’s players as time ran out in Virtus Segafredo Arena.
Ismael Bako and Milos Teodosic alongside injured teammates Isaia Cordinier (foot), Alessandro Pajola (ankle), and Leo Menalo (back) were not available for experienced tactician Sergio Scariolo.
Former Xavier standout Semaj Christon tallied a season-high 32 points in the loss.
LBA Round 20
Dinamo Banco di Sardegna Sassari – Umana Reyer Venice 90-81
GeVi Napoli – Openjobmetis Varese 93-101
EA7 Emporio Armani Milan – Givova Scafati 89-80
Tezenis Verona – UnaHotels Reggio Emilia 78-76
Carpegna Prosciutto Pesaro – Happy Casa Brindisi 70-100
Dolomiti Energia Trento – Germani Brescia 83-76
Pallacanestro Trieste – NutriBullet Treviso 97-86
Virtus Segafredo Bologna – Bertram Yachts Derthona Tortona 91-90
STANDINGS: Olimpia Milano 32 (16-4), Virtus Bologna 32 (16-4), Tortona 28 (14-6), Sassari 22 (11-9), Trento 22 (11-9), Pesaro 22 (11-9), Varese 22 (11-9), Brindisi 22 (11-9)…
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net