By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
With the lead peaking at 21 points, AX Armani Exchange Milan knocked out Dinamo Banco di Sardegna Sassari, 88-68, at Pesaro to progress to the Italian Cup Final Eight semifinals Wednesday night.
Malcolm Delaney paved the way scoring a season-high 24 points in the quarterfinals contest. He went 7/12 from the field, including four made shots from beyond the arc. The well-experienced guard tallied five rebounds and four assists as well.
Former VCU standout Troy Daniels added 12 points. Giampaolo Ricci paired his ten points with six rebounds. Trey Kell, Jerian Grant, and Kaleb Tarczewski sat out along with injured players Konstantinos Mitoglou (foot) and Shavon Shields (wrist).
Veteran guard David Logan ended up with 19 points and seven rebounds for the losing side. Christian Mekowulu had 12 points and Kaspar Treier registered 11 points.
Germani Brescia beating Dolomiti Energia Trento, 78-73, in the second quarterfinal of the day shaped the semifinal matchup for the team guided by Ettore Messina. Former Milan guard Amedeo Della Valle poured a game-high 22 points.
The Final Eight semifinals and final follow Saturday and Sunday, respectively.
Final Eight schedule:
Quarterfinals
AX Armani Exchange Milan – Dinamo Banco di Sardegna Sassari 88-68
Dolomiti Energia Trento – Germani Brescia 73-78
Allianz Pallacanestro Trieste – Bertram Tortona (17/2, 18:00 CET)
Virtus Segafredo Bologna – Happy Casa Brindisi (17/2, 20:45 CET)
Semifinals
AX Armani Exchange Milan – Germani Brescia (19/2, 18:15 CET)
Virtus Segafredo Bologna OR Happy Casa Brindisi – Allianz Pallacanestro Trieste OR Bertram Tortona (19/2, 21:00 CET)
Final
Semifinals winners (20/2, 18:00 CET)
Photo Credit: EuroLeagueBasketball.net