Valencia erase 21-point deficit, edge out Virtus in last seconds drama and shadow Kyle Weems 30 points' performance / News - Basketnews.com

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Valencia Basket (2-2) prevailed Virtus Segafredo Bologna (2-2) 97-96 (23-33, 22-24, 27-22, 25-17) to get their nail-biting victory in the 2021-22 7DAYS EuroCup campaign.

Player of the Game EFF 20 Bojan Dubljevic Points 10 Accuracy 3-4 Rebounds 5 Assists 3

Xabi Lopez-Arostegui hit a two-pointer with a foul to reduce Valencia's deficit to just one point (83-84) with 3:57 to go. Milos Teodosic converted both free throws while Jasiel Rivero scored one point from the line (84-86). Bojan Dubljevic and Milos Teodosic exchanged with successful attacks.

Dubljevic converted one free throw to tie the game at 88 with 1:17 to play. Milos Teodosic scored a tough two-pointer from the glass (90-88). 58 seconds were left on the clock.

After a timeout, Klemen Prepelic answered with a trey in only 5 seconds' attack (91-90). Kyle Weems' three was off the mark, Virtus fouled against Lopez-Arostegui who got 2 points from the charity stripe (93-90) with 35 seconds to go.

Teodosic missed the three-pointer as Rivero converted 2 free shots on the other end (95-90). However, Marco Belinelli hit a bucket from deep (93-95).

Virtus fouled against Sam Van Rossom. The Belgian converted both free throws (97-93) with 19 seconds left. After two missed three-pointers, Kyle Weems hit a shot from behind the arc with 2 seconds to play (96-97) but it was not enough time for something more. Valencia got a very tough victory.

Valencia pushed the gas pedal at the start of the third period, arranging a 7-0 run (52-57) with Klemen Prepelic in front. Later, both teams were trading baskets in the high-tempo and attack-oriented play. Virtus had a 7-point advantage after 30 minutes (79-72).

Virtus came out strong with an early 9-2 spurt. They kept building their lead in the first quarter and it reached 11 points (25-14). Kyle Weems, Amar Alibegovic, and Milos Teodosic led the Italian club's offense.

Virtus opened the second period with a 13-2 push to gain a 21-point lead (46-25). Marco Belinelli and Isaia Cordinier were raining buckets. However, Valencia gradually kept cutting the deficit and both clubs went into the break with Virtus leading by 12 points (57-45).

For the winners, Klemen Prepelic was a top scorer, posting 20 points (4/9 2PT, 3/6 3PT, 3/3 FT), 1 rebound, 4 assists, 2 steals, 4 turnovers, 5 drawn fouls, and 17 PIR.

Kyle Weems put on a show for Virtus, registering 30 points (9/11 2PT, 3/5 3PT, 3/5 FT), 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 4 drawn fouls, and 27 PIR.

Valencia: Klemen Prepelic 20 (4 AST), Sam Van Rossom 15 (6 AST, 20 PIR), Jasiel Rivero 11 (8 REB), Martin Hermannsson 11 (5 AST), Bojan Dubljevic 10 (5 REB, 3 AST, 20 PIR).

Virtus: Kyle Weems 30, Milos Teodosic 18 (5 REB, 9 AST, 3 TO, 25 PIR), Marco Belinelli 10 (4 AST), Kevin Hervey 9.

Highlights

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