Virtus overcame Valencia and advanced to EuroCup final / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: ZUMAPRESS.com-Scanpix Credit ZUMAPRESS.com-Scanpix

In the second EuroCup semifinal, Virtus Segafredo Bolognasurvived a do-or-die thriller againstValencia Basket 83-73 (27-19, 23-19, 12-19, 21-16), and advanced to the EuroCup final. Italians will meet Frutti Extra Bursasporon May 11.

2-pointers this season

58%20,3Points made:20,3Accuracy:58,0%Place in standings:9Record max:30Record min:8Most made 2FGs:Jasiel RiveroTeamEuroCupStatisticsSchedule

Tornike Shengelia led the winners in scoring, putting up 15 points (7/9 2PT, 0/3 3PT, 1/4 FT), 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 16 PIR.

On the opposing side, Jasiel Rivero was the high-scorer for Valencia, ending with 17 points (5/10 2PT, 1/2 3PT, 4/6 FT) and 3 rebounds.

In the fourth quarter, Marco Belinelli made a powerful dunk, Jakarr Sampson added 2-pointer and a free throw, Daniel Hackett nailed a triple and visitors regained double-digit lead (74-63) with 5:34 to go.

Both clubs stopped in offense, while Rivero and Sampson exchanged the baskets and Virtus maintained a solid 12-point lead (79-67) with 1:42 to play.

That was the end, Virtus got 2 stops in a row, Shengelia made a dunk (81-67) and notched Virtus a difficult victory on the road.

Valencia started the game better (16-11), but then Virtus initiated 12-0 scoring run to bolster themselves an eight-point advantage (27-19) after the period.

Propelled by Tornike Shengelia, Milos Teodosic and Kyle Weems’ buckets, Italian powerhouse ran away from their opponents by 12 points (50-38) going into a halftime.

Valencia responded at the start of the third period. Jasiel Rivero and Xabi Lopez-Arostegui-led Spaniards’ team arranged a 10-3 spurt to cut their deficit to single digits (48-53). Both clubs were separated by 5 points (62-57) before the last 10 minutes of the match.

Virtus: Tornike Shengelia 15, Marco Belinelli 14, Milos Teodosic 12 (4 AST), JaKarr Sampson 10.

Valencia Basket: Jasiel Rivero 17, Xavi Lopez-Arostegui 16 (6 REB), Louis Labeyrie 11.

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