Marco Belinelli drops 20, keeps Virtus afloat vs. Spagnolo's Cremona / News - Basketnews.com

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

Italian league leaders Virtus Segafredo Bologna (14-3) overcame the obstacle of bottom-placed Vanoli Cremona (5-12) 79-71 (25-12, 7-13, 22-24, 15-22), thus remaining on the top of the Serie A standings.

Virtus Bologna / Schedule

Ratiopharm Ulm Virtus Bologna84-68 Virtus Bologna Buducnost PodgoricaTue19:30

The top scorer for the Italian champs was Marco Belinelli with 20 points, while Isaia Cordinier and ‘Man’ Jaiteh poured 12 apiece.

For Cremona, Italian revelation Matteo Spagnolo put up 18 points, while veteran guard Peppe Poeta 13.

Virtus were ahead by a small margin throughout the game. Cremona came within one with five minutes remaining (67-66), but Niccolo Mannion, Belinelli and Cordinier made sure that the hosts would be out of harm's way.

Virtus Bologna: Marco Belinelli 20 (5/11 FG, 8/9 FT), Mouhammadou Jaiteh 12 (6/7 FG, 0/2 FT, 6 REB), Isaia Cordinier 12 (6/12 FG), Kyle Weems 8 (8 REB), Niccolo Mannion 8.

Vanoli Cremona: Matteo Spagnolo 18 (4/10 FG, 3/5 FT, 3 REB), Guiseppe Poeta 13 (3/8 FG, 6/9 FT, 7 AST, 7 TO), David Cournooh 11 (3/11 FG, 4/6 FT),

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