Virtus gear up early to cruise past Treviso / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Massimo Solimene/Pacific Press via ZUMA Press Wire-Scanpix Credit Massimo Solimene/Pacific Press via ZUMA Press Wire-Scanpix

An imposing first quarter did the job for Virtus Bologna (12-3) against Nutribullet Treviso (6-8), as the reigning Italian champions prevailed by 88-66 (29-13, 16-12, 21-15, 18-26)

Virtus Bologna / Schedule

Virtus Bologna JL Bourg Basket83-82 Virtus Bologna Frutti Extra BursaWed19:30

For Virtus, going off on the right foot was all it took. A 29-13 start in the game made sure that everything would be settled as early as possible.

Sergio Scariolo's team, led by Marco Belinelli who mainly scored from the charity stripe (10/11, 17 points) took the foot off the gas only in the fourth quarter, allowing Treviso to cut down the deficit from 30 (70-40) to 22.

Kyle Weems scored 16 and Amar Alibegovic 15 for the winners.

The Basketball Champions League contenders are playing their probably most important game of the season next Wednesday, when they visit Lavrio in Piraeus with a place in the competition's Last 16 at stake.

This time, Henry Sims was far from impressive (8 points, 9 rebounds) and Treviso couldn't keep up with a much superior rival. Giordano Bortolani went for 15 points, but on a bad shooting night (4/16 from the field).

Virtus Bologna: Marco Belinelli 17 (3/10 FG, 10/11 FT, 7 REB), Kyle Weems 16 (6/10 FG, 4 REB), Amar Alibegovic 15 (6/8 FG, 1/2 FT, 6 REB, 2 BS), Mouhammadou Jaiteh 12 (5/7 FG, 2/2 FT, 7 REB).

Nutribullet Treviso: Giordano Bortolani 15 (4/16 FG, 2/2 FT), Matteo Imbro 14 (4/9 FG, 2/2 FT), DeWayne Russell 9, Henry Sims 8 (9 REB), Tomas Dimsa 7 (6 REB).

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