A good performance from Bologna is not enough to win Istanbul: the Turks win 66-64, led by a great Baldwin
An excellent performance is not enough for Virtus to return to away victory. Bologna falls 66-64 at Fenerbahce, at the end of a very balanced match. What makes the difference are the free throws (13/13 for the Turks, 12/16 for Bologna). Seventh defeat in 13 games for the V-Blacks, despite Edwards (11 points) and Morgan (13). For Jasikevicius, who reaches victory number 8 (the fifth in a row), the cover man is Baldwin IV, author of 18 points. In the final, the decisive basket belongs to Melli.
excellent defense
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Virtus arrives at the Ulker Sports and Event Hall with the aim of returning to away wins (away from Bologna they only won against Asvel, on 17 October). The first half in Bologna is promising: a lot of excellent defense, made up of systematic changes, forces Fenerbahce to have very poor percentages from the field in the first 20′ (8/21 from 2 and 3/13 from 3). The reigning champions become dangerous thanks to their greater tonnage, finding solutions at the rim, or punishing the guests’ help, turning the side of the attack. Former NBA player Horton-Tucker makes himself heard a couple of times near the basket (6 points in the 20th minute). The V-Blacks sting in attack, showing good fluidity in circulating the ball and taking advantage of transitions, originating from 16 defensive rebounds in the first two quarters (just 7 in attack for the Turks). Despite a modest performance from Edwards in the first half (1/10 shooting), Ivanovic’s men found several protagonists: Alston, lethal from the corners, Jallow in transition and Vildoza, thanks to his expert playmaking. The guests find themselves ahead by one possession a few seconds from the 20th minute (28-31) after a give-and-response on the perimeter between Niang and Biberovic.
decisive final
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Virtus starts again as they finished, working aggressively in defense and forcing a few turnovers on Jasikevicius’ men. The attack also runs well, with triples from Vildoza and Morgan, which give pace to the V-Blacks. As the minutes pass, Fenerbahce’s defense increases in tone, thanks to the greater pressure on the ball carrier, and with better offensive execution. Former Milan player Devon Hall punishes a couple of times from beyond the arc (42 equal to 26′). The balance continues even in the following minutes. At the start of the fourth quarter, Edwards, a former player of the evening, lights up and responds to Baldwin’s triple with a distance basket and a great ball for Diouf (52-53 in the 31st minute). The reigning champions stop the ball too much and settle for a few forced shots, which don’t go in, suffering the defensive aggression of the V-Blacks, Pajola above all. Bologna, despite building good shots, is unable to capitalize, also thanks to Jasikevicius’ defense. A bad turnover by Niang, on a throw-in, costs Virtus the triple of Colson’s equalizer (57 equal in the 35th minute). Everything was decided at the end, with Baldwin taking the lead and putting the Turkish attack on his shoulders, scoring 5 points in a row (a triple and a 2/2 on free throws), which gave the home team a one-possession advantage (62-59 at 38′). Virtus responds and regains parity, executing an excellent scheme for Morgan (64 equal in the 39th minute). In the following action, the guests are unable to grab the rebound and Melli corrects the shot (66-64 with 45” from the end). The V-Blacks lose the ball in the following attack and above all they do not take the long rebound, following a Turkish shooting error. The foul doesn’t even arrive. Fenerbahce wins.
Fenerbahce: Baldwin 18, Hall 9, Colson 8
Virtus: Morgan 13, Edwards 11, Jallow 9
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