By Eurohoops Team / info@eurohoops.net
Armani Exchange Olimpia Milan picked up its first Turkish Airlines EuroLeague win of the season, as they defeated Buducnost VOLI Podgorica in Montenegro, 71-82.
Since the start of the game, the visitors had a double-digit lead but could not manage it properly. The hosts, on the other hand, had some offensive flashes that got them back in the game, but all night long, Simone Pianigiani’s team had an answer for these runs. Eventually, Milan got the win, as the hosts could not complete the comeback in the final quarter.
The visitors built a double-digit lead in the first quarter (7-22) and seemed to have control of the game. In the second period, the hosts managed to cut the deficit to four points (28-32) at 17′, but at the half, Milan had an eleven point lead (31-42).
Alen Omic and Earl Clark started Buducnost’s 14-7 run in the second half that made the contest a one-possession game. However, every time Podgorica’s team came back, Milan responded with a mini-run of their own and pulled away (49-57). Olimpia’s perimeter shots with Nemanja Nedovic and Amedeo Della Valle increased this lead (51-65). For a fourth time, however, Buducnost rallied back with Clark’s shots (71-74), but Milan finally won the game.
The backcourt duo of Mike James and Nemanja Nedovic was on point Thursday night at the Moraca Sports Center. James finished with 13 points and five assists, while Nedovic added 14 points and five assists.
For the losing side, Clark (22 points) and Edwin Jackson (14 points) were trying to spark the comeback all night long.
“They (Olimpia Milan) are very experienced. They’ll grab every opportunity you give them. They are a very good team. We played good for the most part of the game, and so we’ll keep working to get better”, said Buducnost’s head coach, Aleksandar Dzikic after the game.
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