Jaiteh, Shengelia keep Virtus alive, force Game 6 in Milan / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Virtus Bologna Credit Virtus Bologna

Virtus Segafredo Bologna needed a huge first half from Mam Jaiteh and a great second half by Tornike Shengelia to beat Armani Exchange Milan 84-78 (25-12, 17-25, 20-21, 22-20) in Game 5 of the Italian League finals.

Points this season

44%72,9Points made:72,9Accuracy:44,3%Place in standings:18Record max:89Record min:48Best scorer:Shavon ShieldsTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

Milan still lead the series 3-2 and will have another chance to get the title at their own home court, sinceGame 6 is scheduled for 18 June at the Forum di Assago.

No team has ever recovered from being down 1-3 in the Serie A finals and now it remains to be seen whether Virtus can beat the odds and win three in a row to keep the championship in Bologna.

Jaiteh finished Game 5 with a double-double (17 points-13 rebounds), while Shengelia scored most of his 15 points in the last 15 minutes.

Armani Milan had five players in double-digits, with captain Nicolo Melli (20) and Sergio Rodriguez (18, plus 6 assists) leading the pack.

The hosts got into foul trouble early, as Daniel Hackett was called his second personal halfway through the first quarter, forcing Scariolo to use Alessandro Pajola. The young point guard immediately posted up Jerian Grant and gave his team a double-digit lead (18-8). Nicolo Melli provided a couple of highlights, but overall, Armani Milan were struggling in the front end of the court.

Mouhammadou Jaiteh scored 17 points and grabbed 9 rebounds in the first half for Virtus, as the tension between players increased. Devon Hall and Sergio Rodriguez kept the guests afloat on the offensive end when the hosts tried to build a bigger lead.

A partial score of 12-2 at the beginning of the third quarter allowed Virtus to get away with twelve (54-42), but a dubious foul called against Jaiteh helped Armani Milan regroup and score three points off the technical fouls on Teodosic and Scariolo.

Kyle Hines and Jerian Grant combined to make it 57-54, however, Marco Belinelli hit a big three-pointer to keep the distance between the two rivals.

The joy didn't last long for either side. Jerian Grant scored a three-pointer and drew the foul to even the contest at 64 apiece, but Shavon Shields stepped onto Belinelli's' foot and had to leave the court after twisting his ankle. The Danish forward received a technical foul for protesting over Belinelli entering his shooting cylinder.

Sergio Rodriguez scored 5 points in a row with seven minutes remaining, but the streak of technical fouls was not over. Melli received another one, from which stemmed a three-point shot by Shengelia.

Virtus got the upper hand (80-75) and sealed the win when the Georgian international made a crucial block on Shavon Shields, who had returned to the floor.

Virtus Segafredo Bologna: Mouhammadou Jaiteh 17 (8/8 FG, 1/2 FT, 13 REB), Tornike Shengelia 15 (5/8 FG, 4/7 FT, 4 TO), Marco Belinelli 11 (2/8 FG, 6/7 FT), Isaia Cordinier 9, Daniel Hackett 8, Milos Teodosic 8 (5 AST).

AX Armani Exchange Milan: Nicolo Melli 20 (4/8 FG, 11/14 FT, 5 REB), Sergio Rodriguez 18 (7/11 FG, 3/3 FT, 6 AST), Kyle Hines 15 (7/9 FG, 1/3 FT, 4 REB), Devon Hall 11 (6 REB).

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