By Stefan Djordjevic/ info@eurohoops.net
Olimpia Milano gambled away the early lead (29-11) but managed to overcome Dolomiti Energia Trento 79-77 after overtime on Day 29 of Italian League.
Mike James was leading Milano with 18 points, five boards and five assists but got injured with two minutes remaining in a race for a stray ball and the guests had to pull through the overtime without him.
Kaleb Tarczewski helped with 15 points on 6-6 shooting in addition to Vladimir Micov and Curtis Jerrells’ 11 points each. Nemanja Nedovic didn’t play.
For Trento, Aaron Craft banked 19 points including the two-pointer which sent the game into overtime. Betinho Gomes followed with 18 and Devyn Marble with 14 points.
Milano improved to 22-7 at the top of the standings which they secured last round. Cremona follows with 20-9 in front of Venezia (19-10) and Brindisi (18-11). Trento now holds a 16-13 record and is racing for a playoff spot with Cantu, Trieste and Varese which share the same record.
LegaBasket Day 29 results and scorers
Brescia – Bologna 77-75 (Hamilton 22 – Moreira 18)
Cremona – Venezia 80-65 (Mathiang 21 – Watt 18)
Trieste – Sassari 65-86 (Dragic 13 – Pierre 21)
Cantu – Torino 86-76 (Gaines 25 – Poeta 17)
Pesaro – Reggiana 73-100 (McCree 17 – Dixon 24)
Varese – Pistoia 98-70 (Moore 21 – Peak 22)
Avellino – Brindisi 83-87 (Silins 20 – Banks 23)
Trento – Milano 77-79 (Craft 19 – James 18)