By Eurohoops Team / info@eurohoops.net
AX Armani Olimpia Milano defeated Valencia Basket 98-103 in double overtime, in the final game of day 7, and improved its record to 2-5, while Valencia fell to 3-4.
The game was decided in the second overtime with Jerrels and Theodore coming up huge for the Italian squad and making clutch shots.
Overtime(s): In the first minutes of the extra period both teams were going at it, scoring three (!) back to back three-point shots each. In the final 10 seconds, both teams had a shot to win it but fell short.
Jerrels started off the second overtime off hot, with five early points giving Milano a 5-point lead (85-90). Theodore continued the ‘hot shooting hand’ and Milano’s backcourt led the Italian squad to the win.
The star(s): Curtis Jerrels had a phenomenal game leading his team back to the game through being the absolute protagonist in the overtime periods. He finished the game with a career-high of 30 points. Jordan Theodore was also huge down the stretch and he added 20 points.
The game: In the first quarter, the game was competitive, both teams were exchanging (Van Rossom, M’Baye) three-point shots and challenging each other. With a 7-0 run and Tibor Pleiss making some tough shots in the early second quarter, Valencia increased its lead to six points (30-24), but Milano responded with a run of its own and went up ahead by two points (34-36). The first half ended 45-41.
The Spanish team increased its lead to double-digits in the second half (62-45) with an impressive 17-4 run and Erick Green coming out alive. Milan, however, cut the lead down (64-58) before the fourth quarter with Theodore and Goudelock leading the way. Finally, in the last minutes of the game, Theodore tied the game and forced overtime.
Not enough: Erick Green finished with 22 points for the losing side.