After the feat against Partizan, the Vu Nere fell at the end at the home of Red Star. The American’s winning triple (29 points) goes off on the rim
Virtus Bologna’s second away victory, which took place in the Euroleague again in Belgrade after the success against Partizan, faded only in the last seconds of an endless battle. The challenge against Red Star is more bitter, as they celebrate 90-89 thanks to a sprinting basket by Butler and recover from a streak of four defeats, playing it point to point with a convincing Virtus who only have to regret the management of the lead in the third period. And he gets to have the shot of possible victory in Edwards’ hands. The leader from Virtus is never tamed and scores 29 points, not enough after a final in which the Serbs – driven by Miller-McIntyre’s 21 – have a little more, including the warmth of the public. For Ivanovic’s team the balance in the Euroleague now says 8 wins and 9 defeats, too many to get into the play-in zone, but Virtus is immediately below.
the match
—
Twice in the first half the Black Vu put their heads forward and they always do so thanks to the shots of a catch-all Carsen Edwards, who by mid-match had already doubled all his teammates in terms of points scored. But to Bologna’s +1 (6-7) in the middle of the first quarter, Red Star responds with a couple of important gusts that even bring them to a double-digit lead (25-15), thanks to Moneke’s defense and the offensive impact of Butler, who then fades away to make a decisive comeback in the final. The Serbs gained a lot from the free throws and turnovers of the guests, who in the difficulties found in Vildoza the switch of the comeback which led to 25-23 in the 13th minute. Edwards scores double figures and three minutes later puts Bologna ahead again (32-33). Same lead (45-46) at the break thanks to triples from Vildoza and Akele which stopped the dominance of Miller-McIntyre, who was all too brazen on a couple of occasions in which the Serbian attack foundered.
At the last second
—
Virtus then tries to prepare the escape, even reaching +6 in the middle of the third quarter (60-66) by focusing on the evergreens Vildoza and Edwards, joined by Jallow and Alston. As long as Bologna runs everything is fine, the problem is that when Red Star finds the countermeasures the problems begin in sequence which puts the match back on track, until 70-70 in the 30th minute. A destiny “forced” by Kalinic’s class and the waste of Bologna. The final battle between the second and third defenses of the Euroleague begins with 4 minutes of semi-fasting for both. The night in Belgrade gets dirty, clarity drops while blunders and turnovers increase. In the chaos, the star of the former Vildoza shines, as he scores the fourth triple for another mini lead (75-72) without Bologna being able to stem the former NBA Nwora, who rises to 18 points with the clever trick of 78-76 in the 36th minute. Pajola doesn’t give up, Edwards much less scoring 6 points in the last two minutes and despite other gifts, such as Morgan’s steps, with 32″ to go Bologna is ahead 88-89. It seems over, however Butler collects another basket from the garbage while Edwards’ triple bounces off the rim.
Red Star: Miller-McIntyre 21, Nwora 20, Moneke 13
Virtus: Edwards 29, Vildoza 16, Alston 13
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED