By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Focusing on success in defense once again, AX Armani Exchange Milano beat Germani Brescia, 76-62, Sunday.
Sergio Rodriguez, Troy Daniels, and Kyle Hines did not suit up for the LBA Serie A Regular Season Round 11 game along with injured Konstantinos Mitoglou and suspended Riccardo Moraschini.
Backup forward Giampaolo Ricci and recent addition Ben Bentil shared the team-high 14 points. After missing Friday’s away win over AS Monaco due to a minor injury, Luigi Datome returned to action with 11 points. Shavon Shields and Kaleb Tarczewski added ten points apiece. Former Milan player, Amedeo Della Valle grabbed the game-high 17 points in the losing effort.
After extending the perfect domestic start to 11 games, the team led by Ettore Messina will be looking to build on the 9-5 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague record in the upcoming double-game week. The Italian powerhouse is set to host Panathinaikos OPAP and Real Madrid, Tuesday and Thursday, respectively.
Ranking second behind Olimpia Milano in the LBA standings, shorthanded Virtus Segafredo Bologna improved to 9-2 after defeating Vanoli Cremona, 87-75, on the road. Amar Alibegovic led the way with 25 points.
Elsewhere in the Italian League, Jason Rich, Florida State player 2004 through 2008, fell one bucked shy of his career-best with 31 points as GeVi Napoli got the overtime win, 98-89, versus Openjobmetis Varese.
Dolomiti Energia Trento overcame Bertram Derthona Tortona, 85-80, after five extra minutes to get to 7-4 and match Napoli in third place of the table.
Sunday results:
Openjobmetis Varese – GeVi Napoli 89-98 OT (83-83)
AX Armani Exchange Milan – Germani Brescia 76-62
Dolomiti Energia Trento – Bertram Derthona Tortona 85-80 OT (76-76)
UNAHOTELS Reggio Emilia – Happy Casa Brindisi 72-56
Vanoli Cremona – Virtus Segafredo Bologna 75-87
Umana Reyer Venezia – Dinamo Banco di Sardegna Sassari 70-76