The rookie team of coach Ramondino has an incredible first quarter: 19 points scored ,while coach Messina’s squad scores only 4 points.  Wright(18) and Macura (16) give points and energy , well assisted by Cain (8) and Daum (8). 

The second quarter sees Milano get back into the game, and the buzzer-beater by Hall (14) at the end , gives Milano its first lead 32-31. 

Tortona, with good ball and player movement remains close despite Milano’s  visible physical advantage. 

Rodriguez, Melli and Bentil  are fundamental in the last quarter, and Milano’s offensive rebounds give confidence to coach Messina. Gradually Tortona’s energy is depleted and Milano can gain a safe lead to end the game in front of the few 2000 spectators. 

In another game of the 14th LBA round, Fortitudo Kigili Bologna (4-9) beats OpenjobsMetis Varese 101-94.(3-10) in a game important to avoid relegation at the end of the season.  Varese is going through a difficult time, due to Covid and players that have just joined the team, after trades. Fortitudo Bologna is instead finding a good form after the trades made in the past weeks. Both teams play with intensity and the score is always close, up to halftime 56-48 when it seems Varese’s short bench rotations cannot contrast the Bologna team.   

A solid Fortitudo has contributions by all players : Aradori(12), Frazier (13), Charalampopoulos(10),Groselle (17) and an inspired Benzing (29), but cannot shake off Varese that has the strength to always come back. Beane (25, 6-11 3pt), Gentile (28) Vene (7) and Sorokas (17).  Varese’s coach Vertemati sees his team also get to lead 73-70 at the end of the third quarter. The fourth quarter is always head to head,  and only thanks to important plays by Benzing, the Bologna team is able to secure the win. 

UnaHotels Reggio Emilia (6-8) lost 90-81 against Virtus Segafredo Bologna(11-3) . Unfortunately, in the last minute of the game, Milos Teodosic (18) hurt his left knee, slipping on a court sticker. Medical exams will be conducted today. Virtus was already without Weems., found Covid positive on game morning. 

Reggio Emilia has a very good first half (49-42), but as coach Caia stated at the end of the game  < We do not have great margins for error. If someone has a weak performance, we really struggle>.  Olisevicius (25) and Hopkins(22) had a good game, but the rest of the team was not able to contribute significantly . For Bologna, that had Cordinier(5) back on roster, a good game by Pajola (13)  Alibegovic(19), and Jaiteh (14).  

Reggio Emila ((6-8) will play next against Trieste (7-5), while Bologna(11-3) will be playing on the 15th at home against Treviso.(6-7) 

In the last game of the day, Vanoli Cremona(4-9) beat 89-80 Banco di Sardegna Sassari.((5-8) 

Both teams had not played for 21 days due to Covid measures, and seemed a bit “rusty”. Cremona must thank a very effective Italian duo Pecchia (28) and Spagnolo (12). Sassari had Robinson (13) and Bendzius(13), but little from  others.