By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Thomas Heurtel posted a season-high 20 points (in 21:28 minutes), added six assists and four rebounds as Barcelona returned to wins by defeating Olimpia Milano 90 – 80 at home for Round 9 of the EuroLeague regular season.
Mike James registered his second a double-double of the season with 18 points and 10 assists but Milano overall was unable to keep up with Barcelona following the first quarter.
That was when a buzzer-beating triple by Jaka Blazic cut the deficit to one, 24 – 25 after the hosts fell back with eight (13-21) to provide his team with an extra momentum. With Heurtel doing damage with buckets and assists and Kevin Seraphin providing energy on both ends, plus some powerful dunks, Barcelona went up by 12, 42 – 30.
James and Jeff Brooks fought back but then Chris Singleton entered the equation for the hosts with perimeter hits that preserved Barca a double-digit lead to close halftime ahead 53 – 42.
The Blaugrana proceeded to dominate in the third period and practically finish the game at the end of the quarter when Heurtel struck for the 74 – 54. Milano couldn’t recover from that margin and just reduced the deficit a bit in the last stretch.