By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Wrapping up Round 4 of Italy’s top-tier division, Virtus Segafredo Bologna matched Germani Brescia and Umana Reyer Venice on top of the standings.
The team coached by Luca Banchi recorded a convincing win, 80-66, against Dinamo Banco di Sardegna Sassari in PalaDozza.
Tornike Shengelia posted a 10-point, 12-rebound double-double in the LBA UnipolSai Regular Season contest. Awudu Abass produced a game-high 14 points. Jaleen Smith followed with 13 points. Ognjen Dobric and Bryant Dunston sat out along with Achille Polonara (testicular surgery).
Marco Belinelli was part of the lineup but did not play due to a minor injury issue. “I believe this could be constructive into the future. We’re at the beginning of the season. We need to pay attention for guys who are this important,” Banchi commented on the decision to rest the veteran small forward.
Ousmane Diop and Kaspar Treier shared a team-high 11 points for the Piero Bucchi’s side that could not recover after falling into a double-digit hole in the second quarter.
Olimpia Milan draws a narrow win on the road
A late surge saved the day for EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, leading to the 79-75 victory against Bertram Derthona Tortona in PalaEnergica Paolo Ferraris.
Alex Poythress fueled the 8-0 finishing run with four of his 14 points. Nicolo Melli posted a 14-point, 10-rebound double-double as the team coached by Ettore Messina to 3-1 at the domestic level. Kyle Weems with 19 points was not enough to prevent the hosts from falling to 2-2.
Nikola Mirotic and Kyle Hines were left out of Milan’s squad to rest. Remaining sidelined were Maodo Lo (thigh) and Billy Baron (elbow).
LBA Round 4
Vanoli Cremona – UnaHotels Reggio Emilia 91-95
Openjobmetis Varese – Dolomiti Energia Trento 84-85
NutriBullet Treviso – Umana Reyer Venice 77-82
GeVi Napoli – Happy Casa Brindisi 90-71
Bertram Derthona Tortona – EA7 Emporio Armani Milan 75-79
Carpegna Prosciutto Pesaro – Givova Scafati 103-107 OT (86-86)
Estra Pistoia – Germani Brescia 72-84
Virtus Segafredo Bologna – Dinamo Banco di Sardegna Sassari 80-66
STANDINGS: Brescia 8 (4-0), Virtus Bologna 8 (4-0), Venice 8 (4-0), Olimpia Milan 6 (3-1), Reggio Emilia 6 (3-1), Trento 6 (3-1), Napoli 6 (3-1)…
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