Virtus battle back from 22-point deficit to comfortably defeat Napoli / News - Basketnews.com

Virtus Bologna won the second half by 26 points to battle back from being down by 22 in the first quarter.

Credit: Virtus Segafredo Bologna Credit Virtus Segafredo Bologna

Virtus Segafredo Bologna did not allow Napoli Basket to score a single point throughout the last five-and-a-half minutes of the game, battling back from a 22-point deficit in the first quarter to win the game 89-77 (13-33, 30-24, 17-11, 29-9).

Napoli stunned their famous opponent right from the get-go and already led by 14 with just half of the first quarter passed (20-6). At the end of the first 10 minutes, Virtus' deficit reached 20 points (33-13) with the home crowd going crazy after each made shot from the home team.

Although Virtus tried climbing out of a record 22-point deficit (35-13) and manage to narrow the difference between the teams to 10 (48-38), Napoli continued pushing and regained a solid 17-point advantage near the end of the first half (57-40).

Sergio Scariolo's team started the second half with a vengeance, going on a 7-0 run (57-50) and later cutting the deficit to just three (61-58). However, Napoli played the final several minutes of the third quarter better and enjoyed an 8-point lead after 30 minutes of play (68-60).

When it looked like the home team was going to maintain the lead (74-64), their offense went to a standstill throughout the remaining seven minutes of the match. Virtus won the last part of the match by a whopping 26-4 margin with Napoli scoring their last points with 5:40 remaining.

The home crowd that previously energized their favorite team went completely silent, and Virtus captured a comfortable 12-point win.

Jordan Mickey led the EuroLeague roster with 23 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 drawn fouls for a total of 30 PIR. Semi Ojeleye added 13 points and 6 rebounds for 21 PIR.

Meanwhile, Robert Johnson was the top scorer on Napoli's squad with 16 points on 6-for-10 shooting and 4 three-pointers.

Napoli: Robert Johnson 16 (4/5 3PT), David Michineau 12 (5/7 2PT), JaCorey Williams 12 (6/8 2PT), Elijah Stewart 12 (2/6 3PT).

Virtus: Jordan Mickey 23 (7/10 2PT, 6/10 FT, 5 REB, 30 PIR), Kyle Weems 14 (5/6 2PT), Semi Ojeleye 13 (6 REB), Gabriel Lundberg 11 (4/9 2PT, 7 REB).

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