Eueolega: Virtus surprises Monaco and wins 77-73 led by Edwards

Home sweet home. Virtus Bologna returns to the PalaDozza and, where they had beaten Real Madrid, finds success in the Euroleague after the defeats in Valencia and Paris. The second in four games, with ambitions now to be discovered because in front of them were the vice-champions of Monaco, coached by Spanoulis and full of sacred monsters such as Mike James, Mirotic and Theis. They all clashed with the solidity of Ivanovic’s bad boys: always concentrated and all reliable, so much so that the decisive extension at the end of the third period took place with Carsen Edwards sitting on the bench. Not a random one, but the MVP of the evening with 24 points. Of course, in the end Virtus complicates their lives a bit and, from +13, they need an epic defense to avoid overtime. What matters, in the end, is that the triple commitment week starts in the best possible way; it will continue against other French players on Friday in Lyon, and will end at home against Cremona on Monday, with the aim of remaining with full points.

virtus Bologna-Monaco 77-73

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Speaking of the defense, the victory rests on three key baskets in the third period. Edwards’ triple coming out of the break brought Bologna up 6 (40-34) and those from Vildoza (a beacon in the key moment) and Hackett which increased the score to 9-0 after half an hour of the match, making it 57-48. Virtus wrote 22 points on the scoresheet in the third quarter and built the cornerstone of a success that was then put into crisis by Monaco’s final comeback, capable of scratching out 10 points and moving to -3 with 46″ to go when Jallow conceded 3 free throws to Strazel (from 72-59 to 76-73). At that point, a newfound solidity in defense was decisive, which was reflected in the guests’ numbers between turnovers and 33% in the two-point shot. The clear rebound victory also stands out (44-33), enhanced by Niang’s 5 offensive shots.

scorching climate

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The points from the usual Edwards and the sprint triple from Pajola had allowed Bologna to stay ahead by three points (37-34) at half-time. A first half that was always balanced despite the fact that everything was going at full speed from minute zero, with four triples in as many actions, two from the Black Vus and two from the former “best enemy” (at the time of Olimpia) Mirotic. A tie remained untouched at the first siren (19-19) because Ivanovic’s team was unable to capitalize on the French’s offensive mix-ups, losing themselves behind a turnover and an attacking foul. Despite the push of the fans. In the second period, Morgan, Vildoza and also Diarra (with a super block) lit up, antidotes to Monaco’s triples and the shots of the former NBA Theis which nullified an advantage that reached a maximum of +5. Upon returning from the break, however, here was the decisive mini-stretch.

Bologna: Edwards 24, Niang 10, Vildoza 8

Bologna: Edwards 24, Niang 10, Vildoza 8