By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Milan doesn’t have a great start in the season, the same applies to Virtus, and between the two Italian clubs, the “Red Shoes” defended their home for the 99-90 win.
After this result the winning side got their second win in seven games (2-5), while Virtus dropped to 1-6, remaining at the bottom of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague standings together with ALBA Berlin.
Fabien Causeur with 18 points was the key for the win, Nikola Mirotic scored 21 and grabbed 13 rebounds, Zach LeDay added 19 points and also Stefano Tonut had a big game with 14 points.
“As my mom says, let the dogs hunt and see what they bring back to you”, said LeDay after the game hoping that this result could be a new start for Milan.
Toko Shengelia with 25 points and Marco Belinelli with 21 points did the best they could with Virtus missing due to injuries Alessandro Pajola, Daniel Hackett, and Devontae Cacok.
On the other hand, Milan was also missing David McCormack, Ousmane Diop, and Shavon Shields and assistant Mario Fioretti coached the team due to Ettore Messina’s absence because of sickness.
Milan creating distance in the end
Milan got things in control in the first half, starting the game with a 6-0 run, extending the lead to seven (21-14) at the end of the first period, and then with a partial 21-11 score building a 17-point cushion (40-23).
Belinelli and Sengelia reacted with an 8-0 run (40-31) and with Cordinier scoring the last bucket of the second period, the halftime score was 44-35.
However, things change in the third period. Virtus dug deep and tied the score at 45. They even led by six (55-49) and closed the quarter up by one (67-66) after a three by Toko Shengelia.
The momentum has shifted but Milano dug even deeper, building an 82-73 lead entering the last five minutes of the game with Leday giving the extra push.
Virtus tried to react but couldn’t get into sticking distance, Milan led by 10 (93-83) after a shot by Causeur and the game was over.
Photo credit: EuroLeague