Bologna’s second success away from home in the Euroleague, which won at Partizan thanks to an excellent team performance and 12 steals. Now the playin zone is one win away
Great personality, very solid defense and super teamwork: these are the ingredients that allow Virtus to leave the Belgrade Arena with a success, and regain victory away from home (the second of the season) after two months. Bologna beats Partizan 68-86 and brings their record back to parity (8-8), just one victory away from qualifying for the play-in zone. Defense, in fact, is the decisive factor for Ivanovic: 12 steals, Tyruque Jones canceled out (0 points), and clear ideas with the ball in hand. Edwards still leads the attack, finishing on 20, with the excellent contribution of Alston and Morgan.
the match
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At the beginning there is a short study phase, with the teams scoring by attacking the center of the area. After the first timeout, however, Edwards lights up: harassed by Ivanovic, Virtus’ best scorer begins to score repeatedly and reaches double figures after 7′ of play (13-16 score). Bologna took a slight advantage thanks to stolen balls, a factor in the 1st half (7): the Vu Nere took the lead 19-24 in the 10th minute by taking advantage of the counterattacks and attacking in the first seconds of the action. When the offensive phase becomes more stagnant, however, Partizan raises the pace: the physicality of Fernando and Bonga, the scoring of Brown and Washington put the Serbs ahead (37-31 at 17′), but the counterattack from Virtus arrives, the result of defense and initiatives by Matt Morgan. At halftime it’s 37-40. In the third quarter the game heats up: triple on one side, triple on the other, Akele and Alston respond to Marinkovic and Brown, with the latter also prodigious in defense (5 steals). Virtus continues to steal balls and take offensive rebounds (there will be 11 at the siren), and at the end of the third Niang flies to the rim several times. A triple by Morgan gives them the maximum lead (52-63) in the 30th minute, and Bologna’s run extends to 14-0 at the start of the 4th period, with the whistles from the Belgrade Arena during Ocokoljic’s timeout. Partizan showed a timid reaction, but a couple of plays by Diouf in the two halves of the pitch immediately put an end to any attempt. In the final, Edwards closes it out with seven consecutive points, and Diouf seals a sumptuous fourth period with the +20 basket (61-81 with 2′ to go).
Partizan: Brown 15, Washington 14, Fernando 10 Virtus Bologna: Edwards 20, Alston 14, Morgan 14