By Cesare Milanti / info@eurohoops.net
BOLOGNA, Italy – After a comeback victory in the second half of Game 1, Virtus Bologna didn’t need to run after Derthona in the second game of their LBA Quarter-Finals series, staying ahead from the very first minute until the final 83-77 at the buzzer.
Marco Belinelli scored 22 points and had the 14th game this season between LBA and EuroLeague when scoring 20 points or more. Jordan Mickey followed with an important performance under the rim with 17 points and 7 rebounds, while Isaia Cordinier scored 14 points including the dunk of the season. Iffe Lundberg had to leave the court in the fourth quarter, and couldn’t walk.
Retin Obasohan tried his best by scoring 13 points in the defeat, most of them in the first half. Arturs Strautins ended as the best scorer on Derthona’s side with 14 points on the scoreboard.
Derthona started the game the right way just like in Game 1, as Retin Obasohan quickly demonstrated with a steal and dunk in transition with 8:20 in the first. Virtus Bologna got quickly in foul trouble, as both Isaia Cordinier and Daniel Hackett already had two fouls with 4:22 on the clock.
In the second quarter, the black-and-white team began to run away by going up by 12 points (26-14) with 7:07 minutes before halftime. After nine minutes of non-scoring action by the visiting team, Retin Obasohan scored from deep at 5:25 in the second.
Derthona opened the second half by getting ahead at 33-32 with a three-pointer from Andrea Zerini and went on to extend the scoring run to 11-0. Marco Belinelli had a 3+1 play to turn things around once again at 6:43 on the clock, bringing Virtus Bologna once again up 43-40.
Entering the last ten minutes up by seven points (61-54), Virtus Bologna managed to get back to a double-digit lead (69-57) after Iffe Lundberg banked in from deep at 6:17 left in the game. Colbey Ross had three consecutive buckets to push Derthona back within three points (69-66) at 3:58 left. At 2:31 on the clock, Isaia Cordiner had one of the dunks of the season, sealing the deal.
LBA Quarter-Finals
Reyer Venezia – Reggio Emilia, G1: 74-82
Reyer Venezia – Reggio Emilia, G2 83-75
Reggio Emilia – Reyer Venezia, G3 (16/05 at 20:00 CET)
Virtus Bologna – Derthona Tortona, G1: 92-80
Virtus Bologna – Derthona Tortona, G2: 83-77
Derthona Tortona – Virtus Bologna, G3 (16/05 at 2045 CET)
Olimpia Milano – Aquila Trento, G1: 83-84
Olimpia Milano – Aquila Trento, G2 (14/05 at 20:00 CET)
Aquila Trento – Olimpia Milano, G3 (17/05 at 20:45 CET)
Germani Brescia – Estra Pistoia, G1: 79-70
Germani Brescia – Estra Pistoia, G2 (14/05 at 20:45 CET)
Germani Brescia – Estra Pistoia, G3 (17/05 at 20:00 CET)
PHOTO CREDIT: Virtus Segafredo Bologna