By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet was playing for their pride at their home court. This was enough against Virtus Segrafredo Bologna for a 94-79 win.
The Serbs with an 11-20 record are out of the play-ins while the Italians continue their drop, having a 17-14 record, staying in the play-ins but two wins away from the sixth position.
Nemanja Nedovic with 25 points and seven assists, Milos Teodosic with 11 points and nine assists, plus Joel Bolomboy with 15 points and three blocks led Zvezda.
“It always feels good to win, especially after a couple of losses in a row”, said Nedovic, “I think we executed the gameplan very well after playing two days ago against a very tough team like Panathinaikos, especially in defense. Offense will come, but defense is what will set us apart”.
On the other side, Toko Shengelia scored 25 points which was not enough.
Zvezda dominated the second half
Virtus had the lead (23-21) after the first period, but Zvezda was always on the offensive and managed with a crazy six-second sequence that included two threes, one by Tobey and one by Teodosic after a steal by him, to finish the first half (48-42).
The Serbs pushed the lead to 10 (59-49) with Nedovic scoring already 13 points.
It was time for Virtus to react and behind 19 points by Toko, they trimmed the lead to three (61-58) and then tied the score at 61.
Teodosic answered with a three (64-61) which was the start of an 11-0 run (72-61) as the third quarter ended with Zvezda up by nine (74-65).
Virtus didn’t give up and tried to get into sticking distance (84-78), however, Zvezda got the job done with Teodosic leading the show.
“We had so many problems, but no matter that we need to fight on the court, we have to be smart and fight for every possession and in the end we deserved this win”, added Zvezda coach Giannis Sfairopoulos, since his team has its shares of injury woes, still missing point guard Yago Dos Santos.
Virtus coach Luca Banchi admitted: “We expected to be more efficient and consistent in attacking and switching, we expected a though game and we weren’t so sharp and precise”.
Photo credit: EuroLeague