Venezia-Virtus Bologna 89-85, Reyer ahead 2-1 in the championship semi-final

A 30 minute lead and an Edwards with 31 points (8/13 from 3) were not enough for Virtus to beat Venezia, who won 89-85. Driven by Tessitori, who finished with a double double, 22 points (career high in Serie A) and 10 rebounds, Reyer got the match point for the championship final. The fourth period was decisive with 30 points 4/6 from 3) which directed the match. Bowman (7 points) and Parks (15) also performed well. On Saturday evening the Orogranatas will be able to try to close the series at home.

question and answer

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Virtus starts very strong at Taliercio, immediately making it clear that they want to earn the match point to go and defend the title won last year. Edwards is still hot from game 2 and had a crazy first half (19 points, 5/6 from 3 in the 20th minute). Bologna ends the first quarter at 28 points, reaching +12 in the 10th minute after baskets by Ferrari, Smailagic and the usual Edwards. In the second period, Reyer reacts, taking advantage of the energy of captain Tessitori (14 points and 9 rebounds at halftime) and some tricks from Spahija, who, using the pick and roll, allows her team to get closer to the basket. However, the orogranata have a problem from beyond the arc (2/12 at 20′). Triples from Bowman and Wiltjer unlocked the home team from 6.75 and tied the score at 40, before, in a matter of seconds, Virtus made it 5-0, thanks to baskets from Edwards and Dos Santos (40-45 at halftime).

hurricane reyer

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The lagoon players took advantage of some turnovers from their opponents (6 in the third period) to spread out in transition and score a 7-0 which gave them the advantage. Bologna, however, recovers, scoring with Niang and Edwards and the match remains point for point. Venezia’s double play continues to work, as already happened in the first half. Candi puts pressure on the ball, Cole creates with ball in hand. Reyer scores an 8-0 break, sublimated by Tessitori’s dunk (69-63 in the 32nd minute). In the fourth quarter, after a review, Hackett was sent off for a headbutt on Candi, who scored the +10 from the line. However, Virtus, in transition and taking advantage of the triples from the usual Edwards and Niang and the internal baskets from Diouf, went back up to -3 (81-78 at 36′). In the last minute a couple of penetrating baskets by Bowman decide the game. Bologna misses the -1 shot several times but it’s not enough. The match point is in Venezia’s hands.

Venice: Tessitori 22, Parks 15, Cole 13

Virtus: Edwards 31, Diouf 14, Niang 11