Virtus rally past visiting Lietkabelis, advancing to the EuroCup quarterfinals / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Michele Nucci/LPS via ZUMA Press Wire Credit Michele Nucci/LPS via ZUMA Press Wire

In the do-or-die eighth final of the 7DAYS EuroCup, Virtus Bologna defeated visiting Lietkabelis Panevezys in a hard battle on the court with the final score of 75-67 (18-14, 21-20, 17-18, 19-15)

Player of the Game EFF 22 Kyle Weems Points 13 Accuracy 5-7 Rebounds 4 Assists 4

Virtus advance to the quarterfinals, where Ratiopharm Ulm is already waiting after they sensationally eliminated Joventut Badalona out of the tournament on Tuesday.

Kyle Weems was the most efficient player for Virtus, finishing with 13 points (3/3 2PT, 2/4 3PT, 1/1 FT), 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals, and 22 PIR.

Orelik made a 3-pointer to trim the deficit to three points (59-62) with 5:31 left, while Jaiteh answered with a layup (64-59). Virtus stopped a few possessions on the defensive end, Kyle Weems sank a corner-three and the hosts could breathe more easily (68-59) with 3:30 to go.

Jaiteh made a dunk to put Virtus ahead by 9 (71-62) with 1:26 remaining, Daniel Hackett added a pair of free throws (73-64), and the Italian squad celebrated the hard-fought win.

Virtus were the better team at the beginning of the second quarter and got the first double-digit lead of the game (28-18).

Despite the solid advantage, visitors were not going to let the EuroCup favorites win that easily. Djordje Gagic poured a duo, Panagiotis Kalaitzakis and Orelik made 3-pointers that let Lithuanians back to the game (28-30).

Milos Teodosic made a difficult unbalanced three at the end of the quarter, and the Sergio Scariolo's squad were up by 5 after 20 minutes - 39-34.

Virtus fired up again at the start of the third period. Led by Mam Jaiteh and Tornike Shengelia, the hosts spurted 11-3 and created a comfortable advantage (50-37). Meanwhile, after that quick spark, Bologna struggled a bit offensively, while Lietkabelis started to climb back to make the game more interesting.

With some precious baskets made by Dovydas Giedraitis and Nikola Radicevic, the Lithuanian side narrowed the lead just to 4 points (52-56) after the third period.

Virtus played withoutEkpe Udoh and Isaiah Cordinier.

Virtus: Mam Jaiteh 20, Kyle Weems 13 (4 REB, 4 STL, 4 AST), JaKarr Sampson 11, Marco Belinelli 8, Tornike Shengelia 7 (8 AST, 5 REB).

Lietkabelis: Gediminas Orelik 12 (3 REB), Nikola Radicevic 12, Gabrielius Maldunas 10 (9 REB), Panagiotis Kalaitzakis 8 (4 AST), Djordje Gagic 7 (6 REB).

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