Virtus Bologna overcome Bourg to secure home-court advantage in EuroCup playoffs / News - Basketnews.com

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

Already-eliminated Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse (6-12) didn't manage to finish their EuroCup campaign on a high note against Virtus Segafredo Bologna (11-7), as the Italians needed only ten minutes of good basketball to bounce back from a ten-point deficit and secure their fifth win by 90-68 (20-23, 17-24, 27-8, 26-13) in the last six games.

JL Bourg Basket / Schedule

Buducnost Podgorica JL Bourg Basket73-75 JL Bourg Basket Virtus BolognaTue18:00

With this result, the team coached by Sergio Scariolo snatched home-court advantage in the eighthfinals.

Bourg's last week win in Podgorica was an unexpected gift for Virtus, who went from fifth to fourth place, which would mean crossing Joventut Badalona in a possible second round.

Daniel Hackett led all scorers with 17 points on 5/7 three-point shots, JaKarr Sampson dominated near the basket with 15 points and 7 rebounds and Kevin Hervey-Mahammadou Jaiteh added to Virtus's firepower, as the guests scored 53 points in the second half, whilst only conceding 21.

Bourg got the upper hand at the beginning, gradually building a double-digit lead which came up to 12 points (40-28) midway through the second quarter. Axel Julien and Calvin Harris combined for 19 points, when Milos Teodosic's assists (4 in the first half) helped Virtus overcome their scoring slump.

Nevertheless, Tornike Shengelia needed almost ten minutes to score his first basket and Sergio Scariolo's men hit only 5 of their 14 three-point attempts. On the other end, Rasheed Sulaimon's offensive outbreak punished Bologna for their scrappy defense, keeping the lead to ten (47-37), despite Daniel Hackett's buzzer-beating three-pointer.

The French side went 7/12 from deep in the first half, but allowed their opponents to grab six offensive rebounds which resulted in second-chance points.

Virtus were determined to turn things around in the second half and Mam Jaiteh capitalized on his strength inside the paint to even the game for the guests. JaKarr Sampson did the same, facing Jacorey Williams who couldn't score nor defend.

A partial score of 8-25 brought the Italian champs upfront for the first time (62-55), thanks to a Kevin Hervey three-pointer. From that point on, Virtus faced no problems whatsoever. The two-time EuroLeague champs circulated the ball in an exemplary way, finding the open looks and displayed their quality on the court against an opponent unable to stop them.

Virtus hit 9/16 from behind the arc in the second half, getting score from almost everyone.

Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse: Calvin Harris 12 (4/5 FG, 2/3 FT), Pierre Pelos 10 (5 REB), Axel Julien 10, Maxime Roos 8.

Segafredo Virtus Bologna: Daniel Hackett 17 (5/8 FG, 2/2 FT, 5 REB), JaKarr Sampson 15 (6/6 FG, 7 REB), Kevin Hervey 13 (3/9 FG, 5/6 FT, 5 REB, 4 AST), Mam Jaiteh 11, Kyle Weems 8, Isaia Cordinier 8.

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