A run of 28-0 launches Vanoli, Virtus climbs back up to -9 but two triples from Durham close the score. The Bianconeri hadn’t lost at home in the regular season since March
A sensational performance for an equally sensational result: Cremona conquers the parquet of the Italian champions and beats Virtus 86-69. Ivanovic’s team thus suffered their first defeat in the championship, where they had not lost in the regular season since March 22nd. Everything happens at PalaDozza, with Brotto’s team dominating far and wide, even reaching +30 at the end of the third quarter, riding a 28-0 run, and risking a comeback with Virtus who believes in it until -9. Six players in double figures for Cremona and none for the Vu-Nere, with Gorham the main protagonist in the final, while Edwards misses badly for Virtus.
the match
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The start of the match seems to smile on Virtus, who plays their game and finds a first advantage after 5′ (14-7): the Vu-Nere attack the area while Cremona follows its score of triples in a not too precise way (3/9 at 10′). Brotto has to review his rotations due to two ailments by Veronesi and Casarin, but his team manages to stay in touch (23-19 at the first break) taking advantage of Bologna’s 4 turnovers. Hackett enters and Virtus seems ready to escape, taking the lead 30-21 7′ from the break, but from there the world turns upside down. 20-0 partial for Vanoli, who defends very high, sending the Italian champions into total confusion. Virtus doesn’t shoot for several actions, losing one ball after another, and a triple from midfield by Casarin gives Cremona that shock which translates into a 7/14 from 3 at halftime (4/5 in the partial) and 9 steals out of Virtus’ 12 turnovers. In a shocked PalaDozza, the teams return to the locker room at 30-41. Then, in the second half, there was a total defeat. The score extended to 28-0 before Virtus scored again after 10 minutes of abstinence with a free throw from Vildoza. On the other hand, however, it’s celebration. Willis, Grant and Veronesi take advantage of the passivity of Bologna’s defense, Casarin distributes balls and excellent shots pour in: a triple from Veronesi is worth +30 in the 27th minute (69-39). Yet, when it seems over, the long-awaited shock arrives: it is a triple from Accorsi that lights the fire, which spreads with the energy of Akele and Niang. The Virtus defense reactivates and Cremona senses the danger: the 26-7 halftime score brings Bologna back to -9 (67-76) with 5′ to go. When the comeback seems to materialize, however, the boulder bearing the name of Aljami Durham arrives: with two triples from far away he brings Cremona back to +17 (67-84) less than 2′ from the end, starting the closing credits of a crazy match. Virtus: Jallow 9, Diouf 8, Alston 8
Cremona: Durham 17, Willis 14, N’Diaye 11