Four players in double digits as Milan prevail Baskonia / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: BasketNews.lt/D. Lukšta Credit BasketNews.lt/D. Lukšta

AX Armani Exchange Milan (2-0) defeated Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz (0-2) 73-61 (19-17, 19-13, 19-17, 19-14) in the Turkish Airlines Round 2 to secure their second victory.

Player of the Game EFF 16 Nicolo Melli Points 10 Accuracy 4-6 Rebounds 5 Assists 3

Milan built their advantage gradually throughout the whole game.

The most vivid spurt occurred in the second quarter when Ettore Messina's squad went from minus one to plus 10 (36-26).

Milan's club completely broke the match to their side in the third quarter when their lead reached 14 points margin (47-33).

Both teams kept trading buckets in the last period, and it was a favorable scenario for the Italian powerhouse. They did not let Baskonia retake control of the game.

"It was a tough game for us," Dusko Ivanovic admitted. "We had a problem on offense because Milan played really good defense, tough defense. We didn't have it easy to move the ball, easy shots, but OK, we fought."

Malcolm Delaney was a top scorer for Milan, accumulating 13 points (1/4 2PT, 3/5 3PT, 2/2 FT), 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 15 PIR.

Devon Hall and Shavon Shields added 12 points apiece. The latter also had 10 rebounds, marking the double-double performance.

"I think my players had a very good defensive game," coach Messina said after the game. "They defended like crazy for 40 minutes and rebounded pretty well. On offense, I think we shared the ball enough to win. It was a good shooting night for us, but we kept moving the ball and made some important shots down the stretch."

Simone Fontecchio posted 16 points (3/5 2PT, 2/6 3PT, 4/4 FT) and 6 rebounds for the Basques. However, the top performer was Rokas Giedraitis, registering 14 points (4/6 2PT, 1/3 2PT, 3/6 FT), 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 4 steals, and 20 PIR.

Messina also reflected on the firing of former Zalgiris Kaunas head coach Martin Schiller, saying it's not easy to be a coach these days.

"In two games, a coach has already been fired," Messina said. "This is not a good day for coaches, and of course, clubs are fully free to do whatever they think is right to do, I am not questioning that."

"I am just saying that the EuroLeague is so challenging that every game is so important, every possession is so important, that to come out with a win tonight from my players means a lot, and I am very, very grateful," he concluded.

Milan:Malcolm Delaney 13 (4 REB), Shavon Shields (10 REB), Devon Hall 12, Nicolo Melli 10 (5 REB, 3 AST), Kyle Hines 8 (7 REB), Konstantinos Mitoglou 8 (5 REB), Sergio Rodriguez 8 (6 AST).

Baskonia: Simone Fontecchio 16 (6 REB), Rokas Giedraitis 14 (3 REB, 4 STL), Wade Baldwin 14 (4 REB, 4 AST), Steven Enoch 10 (6 REB).

Highlights

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