Virtus defeated Baskonia with a Belinelli orgy he had never experienced before

Virtus Bologna scored its 10th win in 14 EuroLeague games, going 91-81 away from the home of Baskonia. Luca Banki’s team even led by 14 points in the first third (10:24, 8th), but the Basques reacted immediately and turned the game into a derby. The Italians were of course superior in the final period and finally left the Buesa Arena with an important double pack.

37-year-old Marco Belinelli, who has played exceptionally well this year, was the winners’ top scorer as he scored 27 points on 6/9 two-pointers, 4/8 three-pointers and 3/3 throw-ins 28’42” playing time. Toko Snegelia scored 16 points against his former team, while he also had 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Isaiah Cordinier followed with 12 points, 8 rebounds and 3 final passes.

On Baskonia’s side, Cody Miller-McIntyre flirted with a triple-double as his stats recorded 10 points, 8 rebounds and 13 assists. Chima Moneke had 16 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and 2 turnovers. With 11 points (1/2 two-pointers, 3/7 three-pointers) and 3 rebounds, Nikos Rogavopoulos, who played for 22’53”.

The race

While Marco Belinelli stormed into the game and scored 12 points (3/5 three-pointers, 2/4 three-pointers) in the first period, Virtus was +14 (10-24) in the 8th minute. Baskonia started to find its feet and make up the difference and took the lead (38:37) after 17:20 minutes after Vanja Marinkovic’s third precise three-pointer. Finally the hosts took the lead with a short header (43 -42, 20′).

After the break the situation was more balanced, both teams went hand in hand and the guests took a slight lead at the end of the third period (60:63). Nikos Rogavopoulos scored 5 points to make it 65:65 (31st), while the Basques took the lead a little later with 70:68 (32.43).

Luca Banki’s team ran a series of 10 unanswered points and found themselves at +8 (70-78) with 3’11” to go. Baskonia did not give up the attempt and reduced it to 81-85 with 41″ on the clock, but Belinelli and Abbas made the final with 81:91, two shots behind from 6:75 minutes.

THE REFEREES: Latishevs, Nikolic, Hadjic

THE DECADES: 15-24, 43-42, 60-63, 81-91

BASCONIA (Ivanovic): Howard 11 (3/10 three-pointers), Raieste, Chioza, Sentekerskis 7 (5 rebounds), Marinkovic 9 (3), Miller-McIntyre 10 (8 rebounds, 13 assists), Dieth, Rogavopoulos 11 (1/2 2-points, 3/7 3-points, 3 rebounds), Diop 4, Kochar 13, Monecke 16 (1/1 three-pointer, 8 rebounds)

Virtues (Bunki): Cordinier 12 (2/2 three-pointers, 8 rebounds, 3 assists), Lundberg 1, Belinelli 27 (6/9 2-pointers, 4/8 3-pointers, 3/3 shots)Dobrich 2, Kecock 4, Sengelia 16 (4/10 2-points, 1/3 3-points, 5/5 shots, 6 rebounds, 4 assists), Hackett 6 (2/4 3-points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists ), Dunston 6, Abbas 8 (2)

Baskonia’s team statistics: 15/34 2-pointers, 11/29 3-pointers, 18/25 shots, 37 rebounds (27 defensive + 10 offensive), 18 assists, 5 steals, 9 turnovers, 3 blocks

Virtus’ team stats: 19/36 2-pointers, 13/27 3-pointers, 14/16 shots, 34 rebounds (29 defensive + 5 offensive), 26 assists, 4 steals, 7 fouls, 2 blocks

The next games of the two teams: On matchday 15, Baskonia will play in Belgrade against Maccabi Tel Aviv (December 19th, 9:05 p.m.), while Virtus Bologna will host Olympiakos (December 19th, 9:30 p.m.).