By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Tony Taylor scored 23 points and Virtus Bologna beat Olimpia Milano 86 – 84 in the second Italian Cup quarterfinal game and returned to the semifinals for the first time since 2010.
Bologna’s win came easier than what the final score implies, even though their opponents got a chance to force overtime. Virtus was up 86 – 78 with 15 seconds remaining and a sequence of buckets by Curtis Jerrells brought Milano to a one-possession distance. Then Jeff Brooks stole the ball and made the jumper that would’ve sent the game in the extra period. Yet he was beaten by the buzzer.
Milano outrebounded Bologna 43 – 36 but struggled in its shooting. The team had 9/31 3-pointers (Mike James shot 1/11 en route to a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds) plus 11/17 from the free throw line.
Former Milano big guy Amath M’Baye posted 14 points and six rebounds while Pietro Aradori scored 15. James Nunnally and Vladimir Micov dropped 19 and 17 points respectively for Milano.
Bologna will face Vanoli Cremona for a spot in the Final. Cremona defeated Varese 82 – 73 thanks to Drew Crawford (22 points, five rebounds) and Wesley Sanders (20 points, seven rebounds).
Photo: FIBA