By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
“Upset Alert” in Game 1 of the Italian League quarterfinals with Orlandina beating defending champions Olimpia Milano 87 – 80 on the road to make the 1 – 0 in the series.
Antonio Iannuzzi (18 points, eight rebounds) from inside the paint and Milenko Tepic from the perimeter (17 points, seven assists) hurt Milano the most while Nikola Ivanovic added a precious combination of 13 points and seven dimes.
The 24 points season-high by Davide Pascolo wasn’t enough for Milano that struggled defensively in light of Rakim Sanders’ absence. The “Red Shoes” were trailing throughout the vast majority of the match, falling behind by 15, 52 – 67 early in the fourth period.
Coach Repesa’s players tried to come back and trimmed the deficit to three, 75 – 78 with almost two minutes remaining. But Orlandina responded well enough to not allow them to get closer.