By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Ettore Messina was forced to an early exit due to an illness, and EA7 Emporio Armani Milan topped Estra Pistoia, 95-80, in Unipol Forum.
Replacing the 65-year-old head coach in the second half, lead assistant Mario Fioretti guided the team based in Milan to 17-9 in the 2024-25 installment of the LBA UnipolSai Regular Season.
Making 8/11 from the field, including three triples, 30-year-old Zach LeDay paved the way for a domestic win with a game-high 24 points. Nikola Mirotic followed with 18 points and nine rebounds. Armoni Brooks threw in 16 more points.
In addition to Leandro Bolmaro (nose), Fabien Causeur (back), Josh Nebo (arm), and Shavon Shields (groin) being stuck on the injury list of the Italian champions over the last three years, Nenad Dimitrijevic was left out of the lineup, and Freddie Gillespie did not play.
More Sunday matinee action saw Trapani Shark improve to 19-7 after defeating NutriBullet Treviso, 95-82, in PalaShark.
Tied at 18-7, Virtus Segafredo Bologna and Germani Brescia close Round 26 on Monday.
LBA Round 26
Napoli – Openjobmetis Varese 87-97
Givova Scafati – UnaHotels Reggio Emilia 69-84
Trapani Shark – NutriBullet Treviso 95-82
EA7 Emporio Armani Milan – Estra Pistoia 95-80
Dinamo Banco di Sardegna Sassari – Bertram Derthona Tortona 87-82
Umana Reyer Venice – Trieste 103-71
Vanoli Cremona – Dolomiti Energia Trento 86-89
Virtus Segafredo Bologna – Germani Brescia (14/4)
STANDINGS: Trapani Shark 38 (19-7), Germani Brescia 36 (18-7), Virtus Segafredo Bologna 36 (18-7), Dolomiti Energia Trento 36 (18-8), EA7 Emporio Armani Milan 34 (17-9)…