Virtus Bologna survive Varese, reach Serie A top / News - Basketnews.com

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

Virtus Segafredo Bologna (15-3) earned their fifth consecutive Serie A win, catching up with AX Armani Exchange Milan at the top of the standings. The Italian champs topped Openjobmetis Varese (6-11) 81-80 (25-16, 16-32, 18-12, 12-20) in a game that went down to the wire.

Virtus Bologna / Schedule

Virtus Bologna Buducnost Podgorica62-68 Valencia Basket Virtus BolognaWed19:45

Varese suffered their first loss after four straight wins and remain third-to-bottom.Coming off a EuroCup home defeat to Buducnost, Virtus had to sweat more than expected to bend a very competitive Varese side.

The hosts dominated the boards (40-29) but shot poorly from three (6/21).

Marcus Keene had a disastrous evening, where he scored 13 points on 11/11 free throws, but 0/10 from behind the three-point arc. Anthony Beane had the chance to tie the game and force overtime, but he only made 1/2 free-throws. Varese had another opportunity, however, Keene misfired again from deep.

Mouhammadou Jaiteh poured 17 points for the guests, while Kyle Weems scored another 14 and Alessandro Pajola=Isaia Cordinier added 13 apiece for Sergio Scariolo's team.

Openjobmetis Varese: Slim-Sander Vene 27 (10/16 FG, 9 REB), Marcus Keene 13 (1/2 2PT SHOTS, 0/10 3PT SHOTS, 1/1 FT), Anthony Beane 12 (3/7 FG, 4/6 FT, 4 REB), Giancarlo Ferrero 9.

Virtus Bologna: Mouhammadou Jaiteh 17 (9/10 FT, 9 REB), Kyle Weems 14 (6/10 FG, 1/2 FT, 6 REB), Alessandro Pajola 13 (4/5 FG, 5/6 FT, 6 REB), Isaia Cordinier 13 (6/12 FG),

Subscribe to BN+ and get access to exclusive content.