By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Virtus Segafredo Bologna connected 16 three-pointers to secure the win against AS Monaco in Salle Gaston Medecin.
Luca Banchi’s side comfortably prevailed, 83-59, in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season Round 2 contest.
Nine players got on the board, four players scoring in double-digits. After sitting out Round 1, Gabriel Iffe Lundberg stood out with 14 points. Marco Belinelli followed with 13 points. Tornike Shengelia and Jaleen Smith added 12 points apiece.
“It was just our first win,” mentioned Banchi, “Every single night in the EuroLeague, you face the best teams and will suffer from mistakes. Tonight, we were very solid and deserved this win.”
Under his guidance, the visitors went up by 19 points in the first half. Ballooning over 20 points after the break was the next step, more than enough to bounce back from the opening week’s loss to Zalgiris and force plenty of fans to an early exit from the gym.
“I feel happy and proud of my team. It was a big test and challenge for us, especially coming off a loss in a game we had a big lead and blew it at home,” pointed out Georgian international Shengelia, “In the second half, our goal was to not make the same mistakes, keep continuity on the floor in offense, and defensively play strong.”
“We can’t be satisfied, but think about the next game,” added Belinelli after echoing his teammate on the importance of getting the job done in Monaco.
Mike James had eight points in the first quarter but also slowed down, struggling to find options against the defense, including former teammate Daniel Hackett. He ended up with a team-high 14 points.
“The record is not all we must worry about, but the way we lost the games. In both games, the opponents were more physical with intensity at the level of EuroLeague. We did not have this. It is impossible to win,” reacted Sasa Obradovic to his side falling to 0-2.
Crvena Zvezda and ALBA Berlin in two-game week
The Bologna outfit recently ruling out Achille Polonara (testicular surgery) indefinitely was met with Banchi and players dedicating the win to him. Moving forward, the Bologna outfit will visit Dolomiti Energia Trento on Sunday, in Round 3 of Italy’s LBA UnipolSai. A couple of home games, opposite ALBA Berlin on Wednesday and Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet on Friday, shape the first double-game week of Europe’s premier club continental competition.
With Jordan Loyd (lower back surgery) and Kemba Walker (knee) expected to stay on the injury list, Monaco’s two-game week reverses to a visit to Crvena Zvezda on Wednesday and a home game versus ALBA on Friday. Seeking a 7-0 start in France’s Betclic Elite, a home game against JL Bourg is up next on Sunday.
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net