Rock-solid defense, Teodosic's brilliance prolong Milan's winless home record / News - Basketnews.com

Milos Teodosic hit 5 three-pointers to lead Virtus Bologna to their second win over EA7 Emporio Armani Milan this season.

Credit: Giuseppe Cottini/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images Credit Giuseppe Cottini/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images

The first and last time to date when EA7 Emporio Armani Milan (3-4) and Virtus Segafredo Bologna (3-4) squared off was in 1997.

Player of the Game EFF 16 Milos Teodosic Points 15 Accuracy 5-7 Rebounds 2 Assists 4

The two Italian powerhouses played 16 times over a two-year span with a 8-8 record. They faced each other already once this season, in the Super Cup semifinal, in Brescia (a Virtus win).

When Italy's main rivals locked horns again at the Mediolanum Forum for EuroLeague Round 6. , Sergio Scariolo's side was the one that prevailed again, by 64-59 (12-23, 27-12, 14-6, 11-18).

That was Messina's team third straight loss, after falling to FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. It was also their third home loss. Conversely, it was Virtus' second road win, after the one vs. Real Madrid.

The hosts scored 23 points in the first 10 minutes and just 27 in the next 27 minutes.

Both teams are coming off home losses in the EuroLeague. Milan were defeated by Real Madrid, Virtus by ASVEL Villeurbanne.

Milos Teodosic scored 15 points on 5/6 3-point shooting, including two very tough shots at the buzzer - one at the end of the first half and another with 37 seconds left to play. Jordan Mickey added 14 points and Toko Shengelia another 12 for Bologna.

On the other hand, Naz Mitrou-Long was the only player who gave Milan some consistency on the offensive end. The Canadian guard put up 13 points, but overall, his team went 14/24 from the charity stripe.

Shavon Shields and Billy Baron were both out with injury, while Gigi Datome and Paul Biligha were also missing after experiencing flu-like symptoms. For Virtus, Awudu Abass was the only absence.

Milan tried to open the floor whileKevin Pangos and Nicolo Melli entering the equation offensively.Milos Teodosic checked in and immediately delivered with a three-pointer in transition, but Brandon Davis and Naz Mitrou-Long made it a double-digit game (23-12), despite Ettore Messina's timeout.

Virtus Segafredo Bologna / Schedule

Virtus Segafredo Bologna LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne79-84 EA7 Emporio Armani Milan Virtus Segafredo Bologna59-64

Sergio Scariolo saw birthday boy Alessandro Pajola guard Kevin Pangos and get the better of the Canadian player. Toko Shengelia and Iffe Lundberg were aggressive in the first half, giving Bologna their biggest lead of the night (36-29), before Milos Teodosic re-entered the court and delivered one of his crazy circus shots from a nine-meter distance and with some backboard help.

Virtus seemed in control, and as long as Teodosic and Mickey continued to combine for easy points, there was no reason for concern. Shengelia could hardly hit a free throw, but when it came to draining three-pointers, he had no problem. The guests regained a double-digit lead (48-38) midway through the third quarter.

Milan were struggling on both sides of the floor from the moment Mitrou-Long was shut down. The hosts wasted several free-throw opportunities and were reduced to a sterile one-on-one game, while Bologna were feeling all the more comfortable defensively.

Mitrou-Long scored Milan's first basket after almost three minutes of drought and then made it 50-58, concluding a 7-0 run for the hosts. Devon Hall hit a three-pointer (53-58), but Jordan Mickey replied with a layup and Virtus effectively managed to keep the distance from that point on.

Milos Teodosic pulled off his fifth dagger of the night to irrevocably call game (55-64) with only 37'' left on the clock.

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan:Naz Mitrou-Long 13 (4/8 FG, 3/4 FT, 3 REB, 4 AST), Brandon Davies 11 (3 REB), Nicolo Melli 9 (11 REB), Devon Hall 8,

Virtus Segafredo Bologna:Milos Teodosic 15 (5/6 3PT SHOTS, 4 AST), Jordan Mickey 14 (5/10 FG, 4/4 FT, 5 REB), Tornike Shengelia 12 (4/12 FG, 2/4 FT), Isaia Cordinier 7 (5 REB), Iffe Lundberg 7 (3/8 FG, 1/2 FT, 5 REB, 3 ST, 3 TO).

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