Olimpia comes back from -14 thanks to 31 points from the American in a state of grace (7 triples) and great defense in the second half
Evening of celebration for Olimpia, which on the day of its 90th birthday achieved a comeback victory against Efes 87-74, made it two out of two in the second round and reached tenth place in the standings (11-10 record). After a difficult first half, in which they went down by as much as 14, Poeta’s team reacted with a 24-8 third quarter, riding the crazy form of Armoni Brooks, author of 31 points and 7 triples. The American leads EA7 to a super second half, condemning the Turks to their fourth defeat in a row.
partial eph
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Despite the very hot atmosphere at the Allianz Cloud, Efes started strong with Osmani and Dessert, while Olimpia started by shooting 0/6 from the field. Down 2-13 after 4′, Poeta plays the Bolmaro card (returning after a month’s absence), and the Argentine lights up Milan with 6 points in a row, but the hosts continue to lack in defense. Laso’s team closes a dream 1st quarter with 10/11 from 2 and 2/4 from 3, and remains ahead by 11 points (16-27). The script remains the same also in the 2nd period: the bursts of Guduric and Brooks and a 5/10 from the arc after the initial 0/4 are not enough for EA7, because first Dozier and then Weiler-Babb keep the Turkish advantage at around double figures. Kai Jones contributes two monster dunks, and at halftime the score is 38-49.
the comeback
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In the second half, however, Olimpia returns to the field with their helmets lowered, making every Efes possession hell: Milan forces the guests into 4 consecutive turnovers, and turns the match around with a 12-0 run (50-49). Brooks and LeDay enter with confidence, while the Milanese defense no longer concedes anything: they conceded just 8 points in the 3rd period, with EA7 entering the last 10 minutes at 62-57. The red wave doesn’t stop, in fact it increases further: first Guduric, then two more triples from Brooks bring EA7 up 14 (73-59 at 34′). The American is in a state of absolute grace, continues to score (5/6 from 3 in the second half) and surpasses 30 points, but a feat by Lee – the only one to produce something in the second half – postpones the start of the closing credits. It’s just a matter of minutes: the 15th ball lost by Efes, followed by LeDay’s basket and Guduric’s free throws, start the party at the Allianz Cloud. Milan: Brooks 31, LeDay 15, Guduric 13
Efes: Lee 19, Weiler-Babb 12, Dozier 10
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