By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Carsen Edwards remains hot, scoring 26 points in Bologna; however, Nick Weiler-Babb had 14 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and four steals, and Shabazz Napier with 16 and seven assists made the difference, making each one, one of the two biggest shots of the game.
Bayern Munich managed to get the 87-84 win on the road against Virtus Bologna for a 4-2 record in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague standings, getting their first road win and keeping the Italians at 1-5.
Toko Shengelia had 21 points for Virtus, Isaia Cordiner added 18 and Matt Morgan had 17, but nobody could save Virtus.
“Our bench in the second quarter did an outstanding job and at the end of the game we made some big plays on both ends of the court”, said Bayern coach Gordon Herbert.
Napier called game
Despite a good start by Virtus, which led by six (25-19) after the first period, Bayern dominated the second quarter with a partial score of 21-8.
The Germans got a 40-33 halftime lead and pushed their advantage to 16 points (62-46) in the third period with Edwards scoring at will. Still, Virtus ended the quarter with a 14-6 run (68-60), got back into the game, and tied the score at 68 with seven minutes, completing their comeback with a 22-6 partial score.
With the game on the line, Nick Weiler-Babb tied it all at 82 with 51 seconds left. Will Clyburn missed the chance to put Virtus up and five seconds before the final buzzer, Napier made a huge three (85-82), his first after six missed from long range.
“When I missed my last three, I think it was one minute and 30 left, I told myself I was going to make one big shot and fortunately I was in a position to do so”, said Napier.
Matt Morgan was fouled, making it a one-point game from the free throws line (85-84). Elias Harris was also fouled with 2.3 seconds left. He made both (87-84), and that was it. Morgan had one lost shot but didn’t connect.
Photo credit: EuroLeague