By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
The team of coach Joan Plaza prevailed 74-71 by making all the right plays in the end, even if the Italians entered the last stretch of the game leading.
With three minutes left Unicaja was trailing by two points (66-64), but Milano couldn’t finish the game the right way. A three by Alberto Diaz and a lay up of Nemanja Nedovic gave to the hosts a 69-66 lead with 55 seconds left. Andrew Goudelock cut the lead to one (69-68) from the free throws line, but James Augustine with a crucial offensive rebound and a lay up made it again a three points game (71-68) just 27 seconds before the final buzzer.
Joran Theodore missed one free throw and made one, Nedovic did the same (72-69) and with seven seconds left Dairis Bertans missed the potential tying three. Alberto Diaz seal the deal with two free throws (74-69) and Arturas Gudaitis made the final score 74-71.
The key: Unicaja finished the game making just five turnovers and Milano had zero steals. In a close game those numbers ended up being crucial. Add to that the fact that Milano missed all five shots attempted from the field during the last three minutes.
The star: Jeff Brooks with 15 points and 11 rebounds made things happen for Unicaja, while Nemanja Nedovic scored also 15 points.
Unicaja started the game with a 26-20 first quarter lead, Milano had a seven points advantage at half time (42-35) thanks to 12 points by Andrew Goudelock, but five minutes later the score was tied at 47. It was obvious that everything would be decided on details.
Andrew Goudelock had 18 points for the losing side, Jordan Theodore added 14, but they were not enough.