By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
The amazing second half for Virtus Segafredo Bologna (2-3) in WiZink Center resulted in a big 95-91 win against Real Madrid (2-3) in Round 5 of the Turkish Airlines Euroleague.
Thanks to a 14-0 run in the final period, the Italian team took a 16-point lead and while Madrid reacted, they couldn’t complete the comeback.
Iffe Lundberg led the winning team with 18 points. Ismael Bako followed with 16, while Miloš Teodosić scored 14 in less than 14 minutes. Mam Jaiteh also had a solid night with 12 points and Toko Shengelia despite reports about the opposite didn’t make his debut.
“Against Tavares is always 50-50. He’s a great defender, I played a lot of times against him. It’s good to know I can go all the way, and it was amazing”, said Bako.
Gabriel Deck scored 28 points for Real, while Mario Hezonja added 18. Džanan Musa had 12 points, and Walter Tavares finished the game with a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
After a slow start, Real Madrid took control in the final minutes of the first quarter and finished the first half with 45-41.
Virtus started strongly in the second half, took a seven-point lead with a 12-4 run, and finished the third quarter with a 70-64 advantage.
“We needed to step up from within. From the ball movement, execution, discipline… We had a really good offensive game, but not so much in defense. But you have to give credit to the players who bounced back after two losses”, coach Scariolo said.
The guests then went up by 16 (82-66) in the middle of the final period and it was all over for Real, who managed only to cut the deficit to three points.